Richard Edjericon

Member Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh

Richard Edjericon was first elected to represent the district of Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh in by election during the 19th Assembly in 2022 and was re-elected to the 20th Assembly later the next year.

A descendant of Treaty 8 Chipewyan signator Chief Oliver Edjericon, Richard Edjericon was born and raised in Little Buffalo River near Fort Resolution. He attended Diamond Jenness Secondary High School in Hay River and Akaitcho Hall in Yellowknife.

Obtaining his journeyman carpenter’s certification from Thebacha College in Fort Smith, Mr. Edjericon has nearly four decades of experience as a journeyman certified carpenter working through out the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in residential and commercial construction.

Eventually his work in construction brought him to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation as the North Slave Maintenance Coordinator. He would also become the General Manager for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation Housing Division.

Mr. Edjericon’s dedication to his community led him to seek the position of Elected Head Chief for Dettah and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, holding that office from 1999 to 2003. He also became the Acting Grand Chief Spokeperson on behalf of the Akaitcho Chiefs for the Akaitcho Territory Government. He later joined the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board in 2007 and soon became chair, reappointed to this position in 2011.

Mr. Edjericon’s proudest moments include settling boundary disputes, signing political accords, creating fairer nation to nation relationships, and fostering economic development. As MLA he brings with him a passion for a fairer, more prosperous North, and a great depth of knowledge in housing, economics, and politics. He lives in Ndilo with his wife, Aleida.”

Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh Electoral District

Committees

Tu Nedhé - Wiilideh
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Phone
Extension
12185
Mobile
Constituency Office
Email

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier in my Member's statement I talked about what's going on in Fort Resolution, and it's a little bit disheartening to witness what's going on there and listen to the hamlet council and also to the deputy mayor. And I also want to just apologize for not getting these questions to the Minister of MACA sooner, but I but anyway, I just wanted to ask the question. MACA, in regards to how did MACA work to assist the community through its challenges since 2019 to implement the work plan with MACA before pulling the trigger about a month ago? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today as a voice of concern and frustration regarding the recent press release issued by the deputy mayor of Fort Resolution. It is disheartening to witness the lack of accountability and transparency alleged against the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs in his dealing with the community.

The concern raised in the press release demanded immediate attention and action. The withdrawal from the comanagement arrangement, despite the struggling accumulated deficit and projected deficit, is simply unacceptable. The financial position of the Hamlet of Fort...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to table a list of graduates from the Tu NedheWiilideh riding, and I want to say congratulations to them. Mahsi.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 160)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Minister. I think now that, you know, it sounds like the administration's going to happen, and there are still concerns with the residents of Fort Resolution in regards to the water rates and sewer rates going up. Can the Minister assure the community that that doesn't happen right now until we have a better hand on what's going to happen in the administration work plan? And I'm hoping that the Minister could probably explain that as he goes into the community once he's notified on the date. Thank you.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 159)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Minister. Mr. Speaker, the proposed amendment to the Child and Family Services Act has been moved down the road to the 20th Assembly. Can the Minister advise why her department didn't prioritize this work in the life of this government when there are so many children that are in desperate need of care? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. And mahsi, Minister.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 159)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Minister. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister provide this House today with an accurate update on number of children in the temporary, permanent, and foster care system in the NWT. Mahsi.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 159)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to recognize Charlene Liske. She's from Dettah, and she's also from and she also is the Dechinta Centre for Research Learning's director of traditional knowledge.

Also Kelsey Wrightson, a Yellowknife a Yellowknife Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning executive director.

Also I just wanted to acknowledge that Charlene also received the award this morning for Education Hall of Fame community outreach. And I just want to say welcome and mahsi and congratulations.

Another one, Mr. Speaker, is that I had to oh sorry. Thank you. Sorry, Mr...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 159)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Minister. Mr. Speaker, in the health and social services quality improvement for planning for child and family service people that are 67 of its 70 actions items are either completed or on track. This is significant progress, but can the Minister tell me how many children are in care today compared to 2018 when the plan was started? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 159)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last year the honourable colleagues on the Standing Committee on Social Development released Lifting NWT Children, Youth and Families: An AllTerritory Approach to Keeping Families Together wherein in the committee makes 19 recommendations. Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to ask the Minister of health the following question:

The committee's first recommendation calls for a wholeofgovernment approach to child and family services. What concrete steps, for example policies and instruments, legislation, intergovernmental MOUs, has the Minister taken to this approach? Thank you, Mr...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 159)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today as the MLA for Tu NedheWiilideh in the Northwest Territories to address a matter of utmost importance that affects the most vulnerable members of our society our children.

Recent revelation from the Auditor General of Canada reports into child and family services in Nunavut have revealed serious and damning faults in their system. This report calls for an immediate wholeofgovernment approach to address the challenge of protecting children in the government care. While the focus of this report is on Nunavut, it would be remiss of us not to examine our own...