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

Oral Question 308-20(1): Fire Towers
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 28)

Thank you. Thanks to the Minister for that answer. Can the Minister commit to creating local fire tower jobs for the upcoming wildfire season? That's we're talking about next year. Thank you.

Oral Question 308-20(1): Fire Towers
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 28)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too want to stay focused on the four priorities that we have going for us in this government.

Can the Minister of Environment and Climate Change confirm how many fire towers are currently in use in the NWT and explain how they are operated? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 28)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too -- I lived in Norman Wells a few years ago, and people probably know that I lived in Norman Wells, and even back then the cost of living was high. So I cannot imagine what it's like today. And to know that right now that Norman Wells has run out of fuel, that's a crisis, that's an emergency situation. And there's no time to play around with people's lives today right now, to try to figure out -- wiggle around and figure out whether or not this company's doing that, that company's doing this. There's no time to figure that out. If this was your family, what would...

Oral Question 308-20(1): Fire Towers
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 28)

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recognizing the local employment opportunities for the hamlet of Enterprise, can the Minister confirm the number of people the Enterprise fire tower employs throughout the year.

Motion 38-20(1): Consideration for the Hamlet of Enterprise to Receive Top-Up Funding, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 27)

Mr. Speaker, I move this motion today because the Government of the Northwest Territories has an opportunity to support the community of Enterprise. The federal government has identified to the GNWT the support available through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement, through the DFAA, and the GNWT can access 90 percent of the cost to construct temporary housing units, modular housing units. Mr. Speaker, I see the community, I talk to the leaders, I listen to the residents. I can tell you Enterprise is in a time of need.

The way forward to rebuilding Enterprise is not clear. The...

Question 296-20(1): Federal Funding for Enterprise
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi. Can the Minister explain the role of the pathfinder assigned to assist displaced residents. What does the pathfinder do to help displaced residents? Thank you.

Question 296-20(1): Federal Funding for Enterprise
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister explain the considerations and discussions that have occurred with the federal Minister for Public Safety regarding support for Enterprise? Thank you.

Acknowledgement 7-20(1): Retirement of Theresa Bonnetrouge
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased today to acknowledge the incredible career and upcoming retirement of Theresa Bonnetrouge. After an incredible 42-year career as an educator in Fort Providence, I thank her for her dedication and impact on the community. Theresa Bonnetrouge is a remarkable educator who has taught at Deh Gah Elementary and Secondary School for 41 years,11 months and 19 days. She has had an impact on education in our community, and I'd like to honour her dedication and effort to support our youth. Theresa has been instrumental in teaching Dene Zhatie to our students. Her...

Member’s Statement 314-20(1): Federal Top-Up Funding for Enterprise
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 27)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. [Translation] [Translation Ends].

Mr. Speaker, for my Member's statement today, I want to speak about the motion that I gave notice on two days ago regarding federal top-up funding for Enterprise. Mr. Speaker, the motion in question will be voted on later today and it's all about getting more support for the people of Enterprise who lost everything during last summer's wildfire. Ultimately, Mr. Speaker, the displaced residents of Enterprise need practical and viable solutions right now as soon as possible. We all have known the devastating loss that the community sustained...

Bill 10: Appropriation Act (Operations Expenditures), No. 1, 20242025, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 27)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I want to thank my colleague, the Member from Boot Lake, for showing me, working with me, and I also want to thank the Minister of Finance too. This has been a really learning experience for me, Mr. Speaker. It's my first six months here, learning how to do what we do and how to help people, how to get things moving, how to work together, and especially learning -- well, yeah, learning how to work together. I don't have a big speech like everybody else did but I support that, and I too will be -- and I want to thank -- I also want to thank all my colleagues, like...