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

Question 382-20(1): Approval of Non-medical Escorts and Review of Medical Travel Policy
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of health. Who is the authority making the decisions on medical escorts being approved? Thank you.

Committee Motion 47-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Health and Social Services– Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

That's good.

Committee Motion 47-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Health and Social Services– Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You have here 14 public housing major retrofits in Fort Providence. When you say major retrofits, can you explain that?

Question 382-20(1): Approval of Non-medical Escorts and Review of Medical Travel Policy
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister commit to review the policy to ensure it is being followed properly? Thank you.

Question 382-20(1): Approval of Non-medical Escorts and Review of Medical Travel Policy
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

-- yes.

Member’s Statement 391-20(1): Non-medical Escorts for Elders during Medical Travel
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about medical travel in the Northwest Territories. As residents, we may all come to rely on the health and social services medical travel program at some point in our lives for health care that isn't available in our home communities. Travel is necessary, Mr. Speaker. This is a reality in our territory with 33 communities spread across the vast land. With little access in and out, limited services are available.

A principle of the medical travel policy is that the cost of medical travel should not be an economic barrier to access...

Member’s Statement 383-20(1): Addictions Link to Intergenerational Trauma
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about trauma and substance abuse problems of which is -- trauma is a priority of this government. Here in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker, especially in our small communities, we see intergenerational trauma and its impacts. Broadly, intergenerational trauma can be caused by a variety of different factors including removal of -- removal from homelands, genocide, sexual or gender violence, institutionalized and direct racism, incarceration, and exploitation.

We are all aware of the legacy of the residential school systems in the NWT. The...

Committee Motion 45-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Infrastructure - Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

What services can expand to the smaller regions for, like, jobs from that territorial centre? Thank you.

Committee Motion 45-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Infrastructure - Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the -- I'm looking at the 18-foot sport shed for Fort Providence versus the jet boat to Norman Wells. Okay, so one is -- 25, 26, 25, 26 -- okay. What's the -- why is one -- what are the difference with the two boats? One is a -- this one's a jet boat. So (audio). Can you explain why one versus the other for two different places? Thank you.

Question 370-20(1): Community Supports for Substance Abuse and Trauma
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister mentioned funding earlier. How much of this funding has been distributed to the communities in the Deh Cho riding? Thank you.