Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 16/02) - Political fortunes rose and fell in a sweeping shuffle of the federal cabinet by Prime Minister Jean Chretien Tuesday, but the status of the two figures most key to the North remained unchanged.

Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Robert Nault retained his portfolio and Western Arctic MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew remains Secretary of State for Children and Youth.

A rookie MP and former law professor from the affluent riding of Vancouver Quadra was appointed Nault's right-hand man.

Stephen Owen will be taking over the re-established post of Secretary of State for Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

According to a DIAND spokesperson, the post was discontinued during a 1993 cabinet cut. Communications director Alastair Mullin said the move was an indication of the "re-elevation" of the Indian Affairs and Northern Development portfolio.

"We've got the aboriginal agenda going on, we've got the pipeline, this is a very busy portfolio," said Mullin.