Sheryl Yakeleya

Member Dehcho

Mrs. Yakeleya was elected to the 20th NWT Legislative Assembly to represent the constituency of Dehcho.

Mrs. Sheryl Brenda Yakeleya was born and raised in Fort Providence. NT.  During her younger life, she lived on the land with her parents. Mrs. Yakeleya has also resided in Fort Simpson, Yellowknife, Norman Wells, and Tulita, NWT. She holds a Business Administration diploma and Office Administration certifcate from Aurora College, as well as a Training of Trainers certificate from the Nechi Institute. 

For many years Mrs. Yakeleya has dedicated herself to serving community, by talking to people and working for them. She served as a Board Member for the Native Women’s Association and has volunteered with a variety of community social events. It was this active involvement that inspired the people of her community to encourage her to serve residents at the highest level as an elected politician.

Prior to being elected Mrs. Yakeleya worked in the Indigenous Community Wellness Division in Yellowknife, a Contracts Administrator for the Norman Wells Housing Corporation and most recently as a Family Mentor Worker with the Zhahti Koe Friendship Centre, and Caretaker for the Seniors Home in Fort Providence. She also was employed as a Community Program Coordinator promoting community wellness and justice.

In her spare time, Mrs. Yakeleya loves to read, sew moose hair tufting, sing, clean, and organize.

Mrs. Yakeleya is married to Mr. Norman Yakeleya, former MLA for the Sahtu in the 15th, 16th, and 17th Assemblies, as well as former Dene National Chief. Together they have 6 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters, and 3 granddaughters.

Dehcho Electoral District:

Committees

Accountability and Oversight
Social Development
Public Accounts
Member Sheryl Yakeleya
Dehcho
Member's Office

Yellowknife NT X1A 2L9
Canada

P.O. Box
1320
Email
Email
Phone
(867) 767-9143

Statements in Debates

Member’s Statement 406-20(1): Health Promotion in Small Communities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 35)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about the issue I have raised in the past which is promotion of health and well-being for residents in our small communities. Mr. Speaker, our government has a mandate to deliver health promotion programming to residents to ensure that our population is educated and can make healthy choices in a variety of areas such as quitting smoking, injury prevention, healthy eating, staying active, sexual health, and education around substance use.

Across the territory, and especially in small communities, we have high rates of alcohol use...

Question 382-20(1): Approval of Non-medical Escorts and Review of Medical Travel Policy
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of health. Who is the authority making the decisions on medical escorts being approved? Thank you.

Committee Motion 47-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Health and Social Services– Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

That's good.

Committee Motion 47-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Health and Social Services– Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. You have here 14 public housing major retrofits in Fort Providence. When you say major retrofits, can you explain that?

Question 382-20(1): Approval of Non-medical Escorts and Review of Medical Travel Policy
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister commit to review the policy to ensure it is being followed properly? Thank you.

Question 382-20(1): Approval of Non-medical Escorts and Review of Medical Travel Policy
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

-- yes.

Member’s Statement 391-20(1): Non-medical Escorts for Elders during Medical Travel
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about medical travel in the Northwest Territories. As residents, we may all come to rely on the health and social services medical travel program at some point in our lives for health care that isn't available in our home communities. Travel is necessary, Mr. Speaker. This is a reality in our territory with 33 communities spread across the vast land. With little access in and out, limited services are available.

A principle of the medical travel policy is that the cost of medical travel should not be an economic barrier to access...

Committee Motion 47-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Health and Social Services– Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

So it's on the unit. Is it, like, something like a -- putting in a new furnace, or is it rebuilding part of the unit? Thank you.

Question 382-20(1): Approval of Non-medical Escorts and Review of Medical Travel Policy
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

I don't have any more questions, sorry. Thank you.

Question 382-20(1): Approval of Non-medical Escorts and Review of Medical Travel Policy
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 34)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How many non-medical escort requests have been denied for elders requiring assistance in the last year?