Nunavut premier wants devolution talks

Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak says it's time to start negotiationswiththe federal governmentto grantthe territoryprovince-like powers.

The Northwest Territories and thefederal governmentsigned a 'devolution'agreement-in-principleWednesdaythat will pave the way for the territoryto have greater control of its Crown lands and resources, and the Yukon signed a deal on controlling its resources in 2003.

Aariak has said she wants the same for Nunavut.

"There are a lot of positive spinoffs if we were to have devolution in place," she said. "You know the world is looking at Nunavut now in terms of resource development and it will only increase. It is so important now for us to at least start the process."

Nunavut needs infrastructure

Devolution and the increasedmoney for natural resources it would bringwill help fulfil Nunavut's need for new infrastructure such as ports and harbours, Aariak said.

The premier said the federal government has been dragging its feeton devolution discussions with Nunavut, having not yetappointed afederal negotiator even though the territory is ready to talk.

John Duncan, the minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, said Wednesday that he is committed to move Nunavut toward devolution, but that it's not at the stage of readiness the N.W.T. is.

Aariak said the territory is ready.

In Yellowknife, the ceremony was met with protests as onlytwo of seven aboriginal groups agreed to sign thedeal.Aariak said Nunavut has one Aboriginal organization, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., thatit isworking closely with the governmentand thatis also ready to proceed.