Sheryl Yakeleya

Member Dehcho

Mrs. Yakeleya was elected to the 20th NWT Legislative Assembly to represent the constituency of Dehcho.

Mrs. Sheryl Brenda Yakeleya was born and raised in Fort Providence. NT.  During her younger life, she lived on the land with her parents. Mrs. Yakeleya has also resided in Fort Simpson, Yellowknife, Norman Wells, and Tulita, NWT. She holds a Business Administration diploma and Office Administration certifcate from Aurora College, as well as a Training of Trainers certificate from the Nechi Institute. 

For many years Mrs. Yakeleya has dedicated herself to serving community, by talking to people and working for them. She served as a Board Member for the Native Women’s Association and has volunteered with a variety of community social events. It was this active involvement that inspired the people of her community to encourage her to serve residents at the highest level as an elected politician.

Prior to being elected Mrs. Yakeleya worked in the Indigenous Community Wellness Division in Yellowknife, a Contracts Administrator for the Norman Wells Housing Corporation and most recently as a Family Mentor Worker with the Zhahti Koe Friendship Centre, and Caretaker for the Seniors Home in Fort Providence. She also was employed as a Community Program Coordinator promoting community wellness and justice.

In her spare time, Mrs. Yakeleya loves to read, sew moose hair tufting, sing, clean, and organize.

Mrs. Yakeleya is married to Mr. Norman Yakeleya, former MLA for the Sahtu in the 15th, 16th, and 17th Assemblies, as well as former Dene National Chief. Together they have 6 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters, and 3 granddaughters.

Dehcho Electoral District:

Committees

Accountability and Oversight
Social Development
Public Accounts
Sheryl Yakeleya
Dehcho
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

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

Statements in Debates

Motion 77-20(1): Establishment of a Comprehensive Territorial Crime Reduction Strategy, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 91)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My region has -- you know, I've got reports indicating that I had a high crime rate and violent crime rate in the Deh Cho region, so the establishment of a comprehensive territorial crime reduction strategy is something that they're going to look at, they're going to examine things. So, you know, to prevent -- I always talk about prevention, prevention, prevention, in a lot of things that I bring up, health prevention, crime prevention stuff, initiatives and stuff, so I think -- and listening to all my colleagues talk about how they're going to -- how this pertains to...

Question 1206-20(1): Mental Health Supports in the Dehcho Regions
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 91)

Mahsi for that. Can the Minister explain how the GNWT is improving access to mental health and addiction supports for residents in Deh Cho communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 91)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I'd like to recognize one of the Interpreter Career Path trainees, my sister Cecile Deneyoua-Bonnetrouge. She's in the -- Cecile Bonnetrouge-Deneyoua, she's in the gallery, as well as Mary-Jane Cazon, our interpreter for the Deh Cho. Thank you.

Question 1206-20(1): Mental Health Supports in the Dehcho Regions
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 91)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister commit to working directly with Deh Cho community governments and provide information, I guess, to the -- not I guess -- provide information to the communities on preventative measures for mental health and health healing strategies? Will the Minister commit to working directly with Deh Cho community governments and Indigenous leadership to develop community-led mental health and healing strategies? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 1206-20(1): Mental Health Supports in the Dehcho Regions
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 91)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

Can the Minister identify what resources are available to support Deh Cho community governments in delivering prevention-focused mental health and addiction supports? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Member's Statement 1001-20(1): Mental Health Supports
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 91)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and welcome back to everybody.

Mr. Speaker, the Deh Cho region is facing a growing mental health crisis. In our communities, many people are living with the impacts of addictions and violence, often rooted in deep trauma. Without proper mental health support, that harm can spread through families and place heavy strain on the home. In some cases, it leads to family break down or child apprehension, criminal activity. As those pressures build, the effects are felt across the wider community creating safety concerns and contributing to increased crime. Over time, these harms...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 90)

Thank you. I will now go to the floor to general comments on Committee Report 39-20(1). Seeing no further comments. Member for Great Slave.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 90)

Does committee agree?

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 90)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too rise and want to acknowledge and recognize our interpreters, MaryJane Cazon and Sarah Gargan from Providence, and for keeping our language alive. Mahsi. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 90)

Mr. Speaker, your committee has been considering Committee Report 39-20(1) and would like to report progress with one motion carried and that Committee Report 39-20(1) is concluded. And, Mr. Speaker, I move that the report of the Committee of the Whole be concurred with.