Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 13/00) - Though it lasted only a year, Dan Marion said being commissioner was better than just the best job he's ever had.

"It was the greatest year of my life," said the Rae resident.

On April 1, Marion completes the last year of the five-year term of Helen Maksagak. He served as her deputy commissioner before taking over the role when Maksagak was appointed Nunavut's first commissioner.

The Department of Indian and Northern Affairs has requested nominations for the position from the government and NWT aboriginal groups.

A GNWT official said MLAs chose their selections and forwarded them to Ottawa about three weeks ago.

With the appointment last week of Peter Irniq as Nunavut's new commissioner, odds are on Prime Minister Jean Chretien appointing a female as the new NWT's first representative of the Crown.

Though once the commissioner acted as the manager of the North, today the post is largely ceremonial. That was fine with Marion, who said the formality of the position added importance to the events he attended in the 30-35 communities he visited during his year as commissioner.

"Normally the people would just celebrate amongst themselves. But when there was a minister and the commissioner and a reporter along, it made that occasions more regal," said Marion.

Marion served his term without the assistance of a deputy-commissioner.

Asked if he is hoping to be re-appointed commissioner, Marion said, "I didn't even want to think that far ahead. It's in the hands of so many people to make a decision."

He said the formality of the position makes it inappropriate for any candidates to lobby or compete for it.

"I never felt it should be a competitive thing. At the same time, I'm sure whoever is chosen is going to be a very good person. It's hard to be put in a position where good people are being pitted against each other."

Though he was not officially part of it, Marion became involved in the last election campaign through a complaint filed against him just before the election officially began.

An Elections NWT official said the complaint was dismissed when an investigation found there was insufficient evidence to proceed further.