Member Monfwi

Jane Weyallon Armstrong was elected to the 20th Assembly to represent the constituency of Monfwi. Ms. Armstrong was elected to the 19th Assembly during a by-election to represent the constituency of Monfwi.

Ms. Weyallon Armstrong was born in Fort Rae, Northwest Territories. Currently residing in Behchoko, Northwest Territories, her impactful journey has left a lasting mark on her community.

Having served as President of the Native Women’s Association from 2019 to 2021, Ms. Weyallon Armstrong collaborated with board members on the National Inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls final report. Her commitment to the cause has been a driving force in addressing crucial issues.

Ms. Weyallon Armstrong’s extensive involvement in community governance includes roles such as a Community Government of Behchoko Councillor (2009–2013, 2017–2021, June 2021 to July 2021) and Tlicho Government Assembly Member (Consensus Government) from 2009 to 2013. Additionally, she contributed by being on the Mackenzie Valley Impact Review Board from 2020 to 2021.

With a career spanning over 25 years at the Dogrib Divisional Board of Education (now Tlicho Community Services Agency), Ms. Weyallon Armstrong’s impact reached the lives of high school students from various communities. Her roles as Residence Manager and later as Coordinator, Community Liaison, and Student Transition Support Services showcased her dedication to education and community development.

Ms. Weyallon Armstrong’s educational journey includes graduating from Sir John Franklin Territorial High School in Yellowknife, where she resided at Akaitcho Hall. She earned a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Politics and a Minor in Native Studies from the University of Saskatchewan. In 1994, she obtained her Social Work Diploma from Aurora College, Thebacha Campus, and in 1992, she earned her Child and Youth Care Worker Diploma from Mount Royal College.

Ms. Weyallon Armstrong, in partnership with her spouse, have raised their daughter, and now revel in the role of proud grandparents to a grandson. Ms. Weyallon Armstrong possesses a range of interests that extend to sewing, reading, and engaging in various cultural activities. Her longstanding commitment to volunteering for fundraising events and field trips underscores her dedication to community well-being.

Monfwi Electoral District

Committees

Jane Weyallon Armstrong
Monfwi
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for Finance. I know that from the budget, we know that the Government of the Northwest Territories have over 6,000 employees and over 4,000 positions are located in Yellowknife. We don't even know what some of these people are doing because maybe many of those positions -- we know many of those positions are duplicate. Maybe GNWT can hire a consultant to help small communities to apply for programs in the small communities, such as a swimming pool or other recreation facilities, because many of these communities lacks a lot of recreations. We need...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 32)

Mr. Speaker, I'm sure this one he can do. He's got a lot of staff. There's a lot of staff that are out there. Can the Minister commit to supporting community governments in the Tlicho region for writing grants and planning swimming pool projects? There's a lot of staff out there, so I'm asking the Minister if he would commit. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 32)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when the swimming pool in Edzo burned down, there was insufficient insurance proceeds to rebuild the swimming pool. Due to newer building standards, the replacement costs, even when limited insurance, was something the community government could not afford. To make this matter worse, the insurance payout was less if you do not rebuild within three years. Therefore, I want to ask the Minister, can the Minister commit to trying to find funds for the Behchoko swimming pool? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will support this bill with the recommendation made to improve the education outcome in small -- for the Indigenous students in small communities. Increasing the student loans from 60 to $90,000 is a strong indicaftion that non-Indigenous are using the student loans more. That's why we're here now. But, Mr. Speaker, there are so many reports out there, going back as far as the Royal Commission Report on Aboriginal People, the Auditor General's report on education, Truth and Reconciliations, MMIWG, etcetera -- there's a lot of reports out there -- that...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 31)

Thank you. What planning has occurred to begin to develop an all-season road to the community of Gameti by the Department of Infrastructure?

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, residents are concerned about ice roads given changing climate. How is the Department of Infrastructure currently mitigating the impacts of climate change on our winter and ice roads? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about how climate change is impacting our ability to get fuel and other resources to our small communities. We have heard from the Member for the Sahtu about the emergency situation air freighting fuel has caused Norman Wells. In Gameti, the winter road system we currently use is vulnerable as well. Typically, Mr. Speaker, people can go back and forth to Gameti from January to March by driving the 213 kilometers winter road from Highway No. 3 near Behchoko. But last year with the short ice road season, optimal conditions on winter...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With that in mind, what she just said, can the Minister commit to a feasibility study or cost benefit analysis for an all-weather road -- access road to Gameti? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 31)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the information. So what is the average cost of building and maintaining the winter road to Gameti from January through March annually? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 31)

Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.

---Unanimous consent granted

Mr. Speaker, we need to be forward-looking. The effects of climate change will continue, and planning for all-weather access roads now will benefit residents and industry in the long-term. I will have questions for the Minister of Infrastructure at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.