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 71-20(1): Low Water Levels in the Mackenzie River
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 7)

Mr. Speaker. My questions are to the Minister of ECC. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Environment and Climate Change explain how his department is responding to the historic low water levels in the Mackenzie River that we seen over the last year? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 81-20(1): Water levels and Climate Change
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 7)

To conclude my statement.

Question 71-20(1): Low Water Levels in the Mackenzie River
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 7)

Thank you. And thank you to the Minister. Mr. Speaker, the Government of Alberta has begun telling the residents to conserve water and that they've launched water sharing negotiations with all of their water licensing holders. Can the Minister tell us if the NWT is in a similar boat and our residents will need to begin conserving water usage like Alberta? Thank you.

Tabled Document 27-20(1): Petition: Demand a Public Inquiry into the Hay River-Enterprise-Kakisa Wildfire
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 6)

Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would like to take a petition to demand a public inquiry into the Hay RiverKakisaEnterprise wildfire. This petition does not strictly conform with our rules to be submitted as a petition, so I am submitting it as a tabled document. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 60-20(1): Support for Indigenous Languages
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 6)

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister, for that. Mr. Speaker, with the transformation of Aurora College into a polytechnic university, is the Minister aware of any plans for the new institution to bring back the accredited interpreter training program for Indigenous languages that used to exist in the 1990s? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 67-20(1): Indigenous Languages Month
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Translation unavailable].

Mr. Speaker, in the NWT, February is the Indigenous Languages Month which was first celebrated in the NWT in 1993 as one designated day; however, the NWT's first Language Commissioner recommended, based on feedback from NWT residents, that the territory devote more than just one day to celebrate the importance of languages within our society. Since then, the NWT remains the only jurisdiction in the country with an entire month celebrating the Indigenous languages. The NWT is also the only jurisdiction that has 11 official languages.

Mr. Speaker...

Motion 17-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Tabled Document 28-20(1)
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 6)

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that on Thursday, February 22nd, 2024, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, second by the Member for Yellowknife North, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to Tabled Document 2720(1) and table it in this House within 120 days. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Question 60-20(1): Support for Indigenous Languages
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 6)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister assure the public that if and when interpreter services are required when accessing government services that interpretation services will be made available and provided in a timely manner? Thank you.

Question 60-20(1): Support for Indigenous Languages
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 6)

Thank you Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of ECE. Mr. Speaker, can the ECE Minister explain what her department is doing to support Indigenous languages in the NWT? Thank you.

Motion 3-20(1): Recommendation for Appointment of Members of the Executive Council
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that on Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, I will move the following motion:

Now therefore I move, seconded by the Honourable Member for Frame Lake, that this Assembly recommend to the Commissioner of the Northwest Territories that the following Members be appointed to the Executive Council:

Mr. R.J. Simpson, the Member for Hay River North;

Mr. Vince Mckay, the Member for Hay River South;

Ms. Lesa Semmler, the Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes;

Ms. Caitlin Cleveland, the Member for Kam Lake;

Mrs. Lucy Kuptana, the Member for Nunakput;

Mr. Jay MacDonald, the Member for...