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

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 77)

Committee, we have agreed to consider Committee Report 1319(2), Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 20192020 Northwest Territories Ombud Annual Report. I will go to the chair of the Standing Committee on Government Operations for any opening remarks.

Committee Motion 128-19(2): Committee Report 13-19(2) – Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2019-20 Northwest Territories Ombud Annual Report - Amendment of Section 15(1) of Ombud Legislation, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 77)

Thank you, Member for Frame Lake. Member for Yellowknife North.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 77)

I know call Committee of the Whole to order. What is the wish of Committee Member for Frame Lake?

Committee Motion 127-19(2): Committee Report 13-19(2) – Standing Committee on Government Operations Report on the Review of the 2019-20 Northwest Territories Ombud Annual Report - Amendment of Section 24(1) of Ombud Legislation, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 77)

Thank you. To the motion. Question has been called. All those in favour? All those opposed? Abstentions? Motion is carried.

---Carried

Ms. Martselos.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 76)

Thank you. There's a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and nondebatable. All those in favour. Opposed. Motion is carried.

Carried.

I will now rise and report progress.

Member's Statement on Residential Schools
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 76)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have had a bit of time to reflect on my feelings on the news of finding of the 215 Indigenous children buried in unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School grounds. It's heartbreaking to hear, but it's not shocking because as an Indigenous person, many of us have heard stories of what our parents, grandparents, greatgrandparents have told us and what they've had to endure.

It was the Canadian government who created these policies to try to eradicate Indigenous people, to take over their land, and they continue to try and control them through...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 76)

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Ministers' Statement 16119(2); Tabled Documents 411-19(2) and Tabled Document 412-19(2). And I'd like to report progress. And, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of Committee of the Whole be concurred with. Thank you.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 76)

I will now call Committee of Whole to order. What is the wish of the committee? Member for Frame Lake.

Oral Question 716-19(2): COVID-19 Restrictions and Yukon-Northwest Territories Border
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 75)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The only reason I'm asking for the time limit is there's ongoing work and if maybe if this discussion could happen that some of our residents could travel and get what they need to do, pick up vehicles that have been there since November, months ago, because, like I said, it's our lifeline. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oral Question 716-19(2): COVID-19 Restrictions and Yukon-Northwest Territories Border
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 75)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just, maybe a offer some advice. Would it be easier for the person who's travelling in to have a copy of their record and would that be sufficient, as right now if we don't have an agreement? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.