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 118)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also would like to recognize the former Premier Bob McLeod and his wife Melody McLeod, also Brenda Gauthier and everybody else in the gallery.

Mr. Speaker, in recent years both the courts and political leaders have recognized the need for reconciliation between Indigenous people and the Crown. Generally in the First Nations Treaty 8s and Treaty 11s, it says that their aboriginal rights and titles were not affected by making those treaties. Unfinished treaty business has yet remained a cloud over much of our territory while the treaty First Nations are deprived of the...

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 118)

In favour.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 117)

For.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 117)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker, and mahsi to Minister Julie Green for your answer. Can the Minister tell us what she means by stating the communication channels have been established with Fort Resolution leadership. Does this mean that a plan to address the needs of community is in development? Mahsi.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 117)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I want to follow up my questions to the Minister of Health and Social Services concerning standards of care being offered in small communities.

On May 31st, 2022, the Minister stated I had the opportunity to go to six different NWT communities, and you had a lot to say about healthcare and delivery to them.

Can the Minister tell us which communities she visited, and what issues she heard from the residents? And Mr. Speaker, I don't need specifics, just a broad policy recommendation that represents the privacy of the healthcare clients. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 117)

In favour.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 117)

For.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 117)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister reassure this House that the health centres and personnel and RCMP Members in Fort Resolution and Lutselk'e, and other small communities, establish a meaningful and clear protocol process to understand their powers and responsibilities in the case of emergencies for the enforcement under the Mental Health Act. The community members and leadership should know exactly what to do and to whom to call for help in the case of emergency to enforce the Mental Health Act. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 117)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank Minister Green for your answer.

The Minister has also said that the CEO of the Yellowknife Health and Social Services region has been to Fort Resolution a couple of times this month and has opened channels of communications with the leadership there.

Can the Minister elaborate on the number of visits and if they had an opportunity to meet with the Chief Louis Balsillie and president Arthur Beck. Mahsi.

Debates of , 19th Assembly, 2nd Session (day 117)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about mental health challenges in communities that I represent.

Recently, I have learned of several major sorry, there are several very serious medical incidents arising from chronic mental health conditions in my constituent communities. These tragic circumstances have serious impacts on the community that extend beyond one individual.

Our Indigenous people, our communities, are tightknit and compassionate. We support each other through the best and worst times. We also suffer together. The legacy of colonialism and genocide have left...