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

Accountability and Oversight
Board of Management
Government Operations
Richard Edjericon
Tu Nedhé - Wiilideh
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Richard_Edjericon@ntassembly.ca
Phone
867-767-9143(link is a phone number)
Extension
12185
Mobile
867-445-8298(link is a phone number)
Constituency Office
Email
Taylor_Pagotto@ntassembly.ca
Phone
867-447-0439(link is a phone number)

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 58)

Thank you. Clause 2, does the committee agree?

Member’s Statement 649-20(1): Access to Non-Insured Health Benefits
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 58)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the non-insured health benefit, NHIB program, is a fundamental right for all ineligible -- sorry, eligible First Nations and Inuit across Canada. For many of my constituents, it serves as a critical safety net, particularly in emergencies, where public or private insurance falls short. NIHB provides essential services, including medical transportation, when they are needed the most. However, I would like to bring attention to a recent case where the delivery of these benefits failed one of my constituents.

While travelling in Alberta, a constituent of mine...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 58)

Clause 6 to 10, does the committee agree?

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 58)

Can we proceed to clause-by-clause review of the bill?

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 58)

Thank you. There are 37 clauses in the bill. Where possible, I will call clauses in groups of 5. Does the committee agree?

Question 687-20(1): Unmarked Graves and Impacts of Archaeological Sites Act
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise here today just to -- I'm very emotional about this whole thing. I'm first generation residential school survivor, federal day school survivor, and I think about the mother -- the grandmother that's in Fort Smith that wants her child to be brought home, a promise to her sister.

Mr. Speaker, I tried everything here to figure a way where we could try to build collaboration, relationship and trust, but I'm not hearing it here today. It saddens me that we can't find a solution. Again, policies of government overriding over our treaties, our culture, and our values.

Question 679-20(1): Unmarked Graves and Impacts of Archaeological Sites Act
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If the Minister is creating precedence where remains are over 50 years old can be designated as archaeological artifacts regardless of being marked and located in an active cemetery, does that clarification now extend to all remains in Lakeview Cemetery here in Yellowknife that meets this criteria as well, or is this elective interpretation being applied only to the remains of Indigenous children? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Member’s Statement 630-20(1): Residential School Impacts for Fort Resolution Residents
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 57)

Mr. Speaker, earlier this year, I shared with my colleagues the story of 5-year-old Alma who passed away in residential school in Fort Resolution. Alma was buried in Fort Resolution, but her sister promised her mother that she would bring Alma home back to Fort Smith to be laid to rest along with her. The children who died at St. Joseph's School were buried in Fort Resolution, not in their home communities. The death of these children needs to be properly investigated by the coroner's office as there are serious reasons to doubt her cause of death was TB as stated by the Indian agent on her...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I withdraw my remarks. Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 57)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As a Member for my riding and as a Dene person, all we're asking is to bring baby Alma home. And policies of this government is prohibiting that.