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

Committee Motion 45-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Infrastructure - Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

What services can expand to the smaller regions for, like, jobs from that territorial centre? Thank you.

Committee Motion 45-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Infrastructure - Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. In the -- I'm looking at the 18-foot sport shed for Fort Providence versus the jet boat to Norman Wells. Okay, so one is -- 25, 26, 25, 26 -- okay. What's the -- why is one -- what are the difference with the two boats? One is a -- this one's a jet boat. So (audio). Can you explain why one versus the other for two different places? Thank you.

Question 370-20(1): Community Supports for Substance Abuse and Trauma
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister mentioned funding earlier. How much of this funding has been distributed to the communities in the Deh Cho riding? Thank you.

Question 370-20(1): Community Supports for Substance Abuse and Trauma
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of health. What mental health supports does the health system make available to trauma survivors in small communities? Thank you.

Committee Motion 45-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Infrastructure - Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Thank you. I really hope you would keep the Deh Cho in mind for any positions that you can move out of the region -- out of the central area to the Deh Cho region. Thank you.

Committee Motion 45-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Infrastructure - Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Okay, thank you. I guess water's really low in the Fort Providence area and all the area. Up in the Sahtu, it's low too. So I guess -- anyways, that -- I have a question about that centre, the one that was in Fort Smith, the territorial fire centre. That -- okay, so you said it was -- there was $32 million allocated for it. $16 million was already spent. That's just to -- and there's no way to relocate that to anywhere else; it stays in Fort Smith? Thank you.

Committee Motion 43-20(1): Tabled Document 193-20(1): 2025-2026 Capital Estimates – Municipal and Community Affairs – Deferral of Department, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have a question about the Deh Gah School perimeter and playground fencing. When is that to be completed? Thank you.

Question 370-20(1): Community Supports for Substance Abuse and Trauma
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, how are services for addictions and trauma being measured and evaluated and what are the statistics on these programs? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 383-20(1): Addictions Link to Intergenerational Trauma
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 33)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to talk about trauma and substance abuse problems of which is -- trauma is a priority of this government. Here in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker, especially in our small communities, we see intergenerational trauma and its impacts. Broadly, intergenerational trauma can be caused by a variety of different factors including removal of -- removal from homelands, genocide, sexual or gender violence, institutionalized and direct racism, incarceration, and exploitation.

We are all aware of the legacy of the residential school systems in the NWT. The...

Committee Motion 39-20(1): Concurrence Motion – Tabled Document 200-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 2, 2024-2025, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 31)

That's it. I have no final -- I don't have any further questions. Thank you.