Lesa Semmler

Member Inuvik Twin Lakes

Minister of Health and Social Services

Lesa Semmler currently serves as the Member representing Inuvik Twin Lakes in the 20th Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, having been re-elected to the position. Born in Yellowknife, NT, and raised in Inuvik, where she still resides, Ms. Semmler has deep roots in the Northwest Territories. 

A Registered Nurse, Ms. Semmler graduated from the Aurora College Northern Nursing Program in 2000 and earned her Community Health Nurse Certification from the Canadian Nurses Association in 2008. With 15 years of frontline nursing experience at the Inuvik Regional Hospital, she focused on Acute Care, Homecare, and Public Health. Her career also included roles as the Manager of Acute Care Services and eventually the Regional Manager of Acute Care Services under the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority. Notably, she served as the Inuvialuit Health System Navigator at the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, assisting Inuvialuit Beneficiaries in navigating the healthcare system. 

Beyond her healthcare career, Ms. Semmler has actively contributed to education and community service. She served on the Inuvik District Education Authority, assuming the role of Chair from 2015 to 2018, and chaired the Beaufort Delta Education Council. Ms. Semmler participated in various working groups at the territorial and national levels, including the Inuit Tuberculosis Elimination Board and the Inuit Midwifery Revitalization. Her commitment to social justice is evident in her voluntary work as a member of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Family Advisory Circle, where she worked to ensure northern voices were heard and represented. Lesa Semmler's life and career reflect her passion for healthcare, education, and advocating for the well-being of her community.

Inuvik Twin Lakes Electoral District

Committees

Inuvik Twin Lakes
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
(867) 767-9143
Extension
12195
Constituency Office

198 Mackenzie Rd
Unit 123
Inuvik NT X0E 0T0
Canada

P.O. Box
3130
Constituency Phone
867-678-2429
Minister
Email
Email
Minister of Health and Social Services

Statements in Debates

Motion 13-19(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 1st Session (day 2)

Mr. Speaker, I give notice that, on Thursday, December 12, 2019, I will move the following motion: Now therefore I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Range Lake, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules and Procedures:

Mr. Kevin O'Reilly, the Member for Frame Lake;

Mr. Rocky Simpson, the Member for Hay River South;

Mr. Jackie Jacobson, the Member for Nunakput;

Mr. Steve Norn, the Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh; and

The Honourable Shane Thompson, the Member for Nahendeh.

And further, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Rules...

Question 8-19(1): Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Action Plan
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 1st Session (day 2)

Can the Premier advise how the Regular Members will be involved in this and when an action plan could be expected?

Question 8-19(1): Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Action Plan
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 1st Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The fact that the final report for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women was released on June 3, 2019, which both the Premier, who was then the Minister responsible for the Status of Women, and I had attended this event, can the Premier advise if there is any progress to the national action plan to address the 231 Calls for Justice from the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report that the NWT has agreed to, as part of my understanding.

Member's Statement on Understanding Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGNTQQIA People
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 1st Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In honour of Human Rights Day, which is also the final day of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, I would like to read the introduction from the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, "Reclaiming Power and Place."

Understanding Violence Against Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA People: Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people in Canada have been a target of violence for far too long.

This truth is undeniable.

The fact that this national inquiry is happening now doesn't mean that Indigenous...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 1st Session (day 2)

There is a motion on the floor to report progress. The motion is in order and non-debatable. All those in favour? All those opposed? The motion is carried.

---Carried

I will now rise and report progress.

Motion 14-19(1): Appointments to the Standing Committee on Social Development, Carried
Debates of , 19th Assembly, 1st Session (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Appointments to the Standing Committee on Social Development.

WHEREAS Rule 89(2) requires that Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Development;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Hay River North, that the following Members be appointed to the Standing Committee on Social Development:

Mr. Ronald Bonnetrouge, the Member for Deh Cho;

Mr. Rocky Simpson, the Member for Hay River South;

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

Ms. Caitlin Cleveland, the Member for Kam Lake; and

Ms. Julie Green, the Member for Yellowknife...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 1st Session (day 1)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome my husband, Jozef Carnogursky, who is here today.