Lesa Semmler

Member Inuvik Twin Lakes

Minister of Health and Social Services

Lesa Semmler currently serves as the Member representing Inuvik Twin Lakes in the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, having been re-elected to the position. Born in Yellowknife, NT, and raised in Inuvik, where she still resides, Ms. Semmler has deep roots in the Northwest Territories. 

A Registered Nurse, Ms. Semmler graduated from the Aurora College Northern Nursing Program in 2000 and earned her Community Health Nurse Certification from the Canadian Nurses Association in 2008. With 15 years of frontline nursing experience at the Inuvik Regional Hospital, she focused on Acute Care, Homecare, and Public Health. Her career also included roles as the Manager of Acute Care Services and eventually the Regional Manager of Acute Care Services under the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. Notably, she served as the Inuvialuit Health System Navigator at the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, assisting Inuvialuit Beneficiaries in navigating the healthcare system. 

Beyond her healthcare career, Ms. Semmler has actively contributed to education and community service. She served on the Inuvik District Education Authority, assuming the role of Chair from 2015 to 2018, and chaired the Beaufort Delta Education Council. Ms. Semmler participated in various working groups at the territorial and national levels, including the Inuit Tuberculosis Elimination Board and the Inuit Midwifery Revitalization. Her commitment to social justice is evident in her voluntary work as a member of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Family Advisory Circle, where she worked to ensure northern voices were heard and represented. Lesa Semmler's life and career reflect her passion for healthcare, education, and advocating for the well-being of her community.

Inuvik Twin Lakes Electoral District

Committees

Lesa Semmler
Inuvik Twin Lakes
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
(867) 767-9143
Constituency Office

125 Mackenzie Rd
Unit 203
Inuvik NT X0E 0T0
Canada

P.O. Box
3130
Constituency Phone
867-678-2429
Minister
Email
Email
Minister of Health and Social Services

Statements in Debates

Question 49-19(2): Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In light of this new issue, with the government being a minority government, I am afraid that if we don't get moving on this issue sooner than later, that if there is a chance that the next government, if our minority federal government changes, we may not have good strength and movement on this. I would like the Minister to commit that she would push harder and get more familiar with this so that we can get commitments from our federal partners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

We're on the $280,000 commitment. Are there questions for the Minister, Member Bonnetrouge, on the Environment and Natural Resources stewardship and climate change, not previously authorized, $280,000 commitment? Okay. Committee will begin at page 6 of the details. Environment and Natural Resources, environmental stewardship and climate change, not previously authorized, $280,000. Does committee agree?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

Question has been called. All those in favour? Sorry, I'm ahead of the game. Mr. Norn.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

Thank you. Member O'Reilly.

Question 49-19(2): Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

I thank the Minister for being honest. Can the Minister tell us what steps the GNWT is taking to fully implement the calls for justice outlined in this Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

Minister of Finance.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

Thank you, committee. Infrastructure, total department, not previously authorized, $1,018,000. Does committee agree?

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

Thank you, Minister. Member O'Reilly.

Member's Statement on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are closing in on nine months since the final report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was released. In that report, Mr. Speaker, are calls for justice that are crying out to be fully implemented and for real action to be taken by all levels of government in order to have the calls for justice realized.

The final report speaks to many issues that we have already been discussing in our 19th Assembly:

Indigenous rights in section 1; our priorities list settling land claims and implementing UNDRIP.

Indigenous culture and language, in section 2; we are...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 5)

Minister of Finance.