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

Question 278-20(1): Disaster Assistance Programs for Traditional Cabin Owners
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you. 20 percent of their annual income from harvesting, is that like harvesting fur, wood, fish? Cutting -- like, cutting wood? Picking mushrooms and doing stuff like that, is that what that means? Thank you.

Question 278-20(1): Disaster Assistance Programs for Traditional Cabin Owners
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Since they don't have a provision for clean-up. How about for assistance for cabins that were burned? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 278-20(1): Disaster Assistance Programs for Traditional Cabin Owners
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, another impact facing many residents in my riding and other ridings is the debris and waste created from the wildfires. There are many cabins spread throughout the Deh Cho. These are traditional cabins used for hunting, fishing, and recreational purposes. Some of these cabins were destroyed by wildfire, and the owners are searching for any supports available to them. Cleaning up sites that are completely charred, remove all the debris, or trying to renovate buildings with fire damage is not an easy task.

Municipal and Community Affairs provides support to...

Committee Motion 30-20(1): Deferral Motion – Tabled Document 111-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2024-2025
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

That's good. I'm happy to hear that. And that's a good news story from ITI supporting people and supporting the communities. So continue to do that because we're going to need a lot of that. So thank you so much. And that's it for questions.

Committee Motion 30-20(1): Deferral Motion – Tabled Document 111-20(1): Supplementary Estimates (Infrastructure Expenditures), No. 1, 2024-2025
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. I was looking at the agriculture -- Canadian Agriculture Partnership. You had $1,051,000 in 2022-2023, and then you had nothing after that. Then it looks like you went into the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership. Okay, so do we have a huge agriculture sector in the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Question 278-20(1): Disaster Assistance Programs for Traditional Cabin Owners
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you. I have a little bit more of a different question then. My next question is what constitutes harvesters? Like, what do they have to be harvesting to be considered a harvester? Thank you.

Question 278-20(1): Disaster Assistance Programs for Traditional Cabin Owners
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 24)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of ECC. Can the Minister tell me what supports are available to cabin owners as they clean up the charred and damaged properties that once were their cabins? Thank you.

Committee Motion 27-20(1): Tabled Document 93-20(1): 2024-2025 Main Estimates – Legislative Assembly – Deferral of Legislative Assembly, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, my question is about the fire damage compensation grants are available to hunters and trappers to replace equipment lost as a result of a wildfire -- forest fires. What is considered equipment? Thank you.

Members’ Statement 262-20(1): Economic Development in Communities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I represent four small communities, and some of my communities are entirely Indigenous. The size of my communities range from 45 to 736 or 50 people. Mr. Speaker, we are small communities but so unique and so rich in culture and tradition.

Mr. Speaker, the communities in the Deh Cho region do not have a major economic driver. There are trees everywhere, and the forest industry is a natural sector to develop but the forest industry has not yet become a regional economic driver for my communities.

Mr. Speaker, we are on the road system. We have abundant natural...

Committee Motion 27-20(1): Tabled Document 93-20(1): 2024-2025 Main Estimates – Legislative Assembly – Deferral of Legislative Assembly, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

The reason I'm asking is I have people calling me and saying that they didn't get anything from -- they lost their cabin last year in the fire, in the wildfire, and they didn't get anything. So is there some way that maybe their application didn't get looked at or it didn't get in, or? I just need that information so I could bring it back to some of these. They were in the Hay River, Deh Cho region. Thank you.