Iqaluit (Feb 10/03) - Nunavut has a new resource when it comes to the courts and her name is Alexina Kublu.

On Feb. 3, she was appointed Nunavut's first full-time senior justice of the peace.

"It's going to be different and I'm really looking forward to the work," said Kublu.

She's been a JP for six years now and said the experience will be invaluable for the new position.

Kublu first got involved with the justice system in high school. She was an interpreter for JP court. Later, while working as an instructor at Nunavut Arctic College, a co-worker talked Kublu into putting her name on the list for JP training.

She said with the proper educational tools and the help of her peers the law quickly became pretty straight-forward. There are presently six part-time JPs in Iqaluit. She's looking forward to taking on her new role.

"The way I see it, I continue to carry out my duties as a JP but I will be in contact more with the JPs in other communities. I'd like there to be more training and encouragement to move forward," said Kublu.

With more training opportunities for JPs across the territory, Kublu hopes more cases can be dealt with at a community level.

To take the job, Kublu gave up her position as a college instructor in the language and culture program at Nunavut Arctic College.

Nunavut's Senior Judge, Beverley Browne, said Kublu will bring a lot to the territory when it comes to justice. Browne hopes Kublu will assist in supporting and recruiting JPs.

"We've been trying to create the position for a few years now. Kublu comes with a tremendous knowledge of the Inuit culture and of the JP system, which we will draw upon on every possible occasion," said Browne.

Kublu's first day on the job is Feb. 17 at the Nunavut Court of Justice.