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 284-20(1): Mental Health Training
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 25)

Thank you, and thank you to the Minister for that. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister commit to ensuring that any mental health training provided to health centre staff is also offered to NGOs in the communities that work directly with the public? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 288-20(1): Mental health
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we know in the NWT our people are struggling with mental health challenges. Just over 56 percent of people in the NWT rate themselves as mentally well; so that's people that are thinking good about themselves. Indigenous people, and particularly former RS residential school students and people that went to residential school rate themselves a little lower than that as being mentally well.

Mr. Speaker, this is heartbreaking. We know in the NWT we have high rates of smoking, poor diets and activity, and heavy drinking. And, Mr. Speaker, and all of these stem...

Committee Motion 31-20(1): Tabled Document 93-20(1): 2024-2025 Main Estimates – Industry, Tourism and Investment – Deferral of Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 25)

Thank you. Mr. Chair, I will advise my constituents to go to this district office and apply for emergency repair programs. Hopefully yeah, thank you. That's the question I have. Hopefully they're eligible to receive that funding for their repairs as we're now in June, fall's going to come, and I would really like for them to have that support. Thank you.

Committee Motion 31-20(1): Tabled Document 93-20(1): 2024-2025 Main Estimates – Industry, Tourism and Investment – Deferral of Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 25)

The question is thank you. Thank you to the Minister. Can members that are I don't know if the housing that they're living in currently some of the members from the Hay River Reserve, if their housing units if they're privately owned units, can they still access the program?

Committee Motion 31-20(1): Tabled Document 93-20(1): 2024-2025 Main Estimates – Industry, Tourism and Investment – Deferral of Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 25)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. And thank you for that. I have no more questions. I'm very happy. Thank you.

Committee Motion 30-20(1): Deferral Motion – Tabled Document 111-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2024-2025
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

That's pretty -- it's growing. It's a grower sector that is becoming successful. So, yeah, that's what I wanted to know. How many people are -- or how many programs in -- so I'm trying to figure out what -- how many programs per region are there? Is it people are applying at every community, or is it certain communities? Thank you.

Question 278-20(1): Disaster Assistance Programs for Traditional Cabin Owners
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you. 20 percent of their annual income from harvesting, is that like harvesting fur, wood, fish? Cutting -- like, cutting wood? Picking mushrooms and doing stuff like that, is that what that means? Thank you.

Question 278-20(1): Disaster Assistance Programs for Traditional Cabin Owners
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since they don't have a provision for clean-up. How about for assistance for cabins that were burned? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 278-20(1): Disaster Assistance Programs for Traditional Cabin Owners
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, another impact facing many residents in my riding and other ridings is the debris and waste created from the wildfires. There are many cabins spread throughout the Deh Cho. These are traditional cabins used for hunting, fishing, and recreational purposes. Some of these cabins were destroyed by wildfire, and the owners are searching for any supports available to them. Cleaning up sites that are completely charred, remove all the debris, or trying to renovate buildings with fire damage is not an easy task.

Municipal and Community Affairs provides support to...

Committee Motion 30-20(1): Deferral Motion – Tabled Document 111-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2024-2025
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

That's good. I'm happy to hear that. And that's a good news story from ITI supporting people and supporting the communities. So continue to do that because we're going to need a lot of that. So thank you so much. And that's it for questions.