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
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 231-20(1): Income Assistance – Living on the Land Disqualification
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 20)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know of two constituents who are in a unique and unfortunate set of circumstances involving income assistance.

Mr. Speaker, there are two constituents in my riding who are a couple and are in a situation where neither of them have jobs. They don't have housing accommodations or any support of any kind. This couple, sadly, is caught up in the addiction process. They decided to go out and live on the land together because they wanted to sober up and, in doing so, they also attempted to get their income assistance. But they were denied and told they were ineligible to...

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

Thank you. That's all I have for now, Mr. Chair. Thank you.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I am looking at we could bring up, like in my riding, there's longterm and continuing care services. There's lots of my constituents or the older people that have to move to Yellowknife, Hay River, Fort Simpson, or even in some cases, to Behchoko. It's tough on them. So I wanted to look at possibly looking at having longterm care in one of my communities. Because the riding is I know Dehcho is a big place but the riding the Dehcho is, again Fort Providence, Kakisa, Hay River Reserve, and Enterprise. And there are people that, you know, want to stay home. They want to...

Committee Motion 8-20(1): Tabled Document 93-20(1): Main Estimates 2024-2025, Deferral of Administrative and Support Services – Health and Social Services, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 19)

Thank you. That's all the questions I have for the Minister for that. Thank you.

Committee Motion 8-20(1): Tabled Document 93-20(1): Main Estimates 2024-2025, Deferral of Administrative and Support Services – Health and Social Services, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 19)

Thank you for the Minister for that response. Is there a number for the budget and a length of time that they can run these programs? Is there -- like, what's the max for the budget? Thank you.

Committee Motion 8-20(1): Tabled Document 93-20(1): Main Estimates 2024-2025, Deferral of Administrative and Support Services – Health and Social Services, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is to the Minister on x-ray machines in small communities. Do all small communities have x-ray machines? Thank you.

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. My question is can the government better use the facility to make Fort Smith's facility more useful in corrections?

Question 224-20(1): Medical Travel Policies for Residents Injured Outside of the Territory
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 19)

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister confirm if what she says means that all NWT residents must always have their own private health insurance when they travel anywhere within Canada if they expect to receive any assistance in returning home if they're hospitalized while travelling? Thank you.

Question 224-20(1): Medical Travel Policies for Residents Injured Outside of the Territory
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Health and Social Services.

In general terms, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain the health and social services policy, if one exists, of helping an NWT resident return home if they happen to be hospitalized while they are travelling in another province or territory? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 219-20(1): Constituent’s Medical Travel Issues
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 19)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to discuss a constituent issue that was brought to my attention pertaining to medical travel.

Mr. Speaker, one of my constituents had recently gone to Edmonton on a weekend vacation and while he was away, he ended up getting hurt and had to go to the hospital because of his injuries. After this happened, the constituent contacted medical travel to inform them of his situation to seek support in returning home. However, medical travel has decided they will not provide him with any support to help him with his return travels to the NWT.

Mr. Speaker...