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 198-20(1): Working with Municipalities on Emergency Plans
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 17)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in my Member's statement, I spoke about the importance of providing sufficient health promotion within the schools across the NWT. Recently, the GNWT began using the education curriculum from British Columbia. So I would like to ask the Minister of ECE if there have been any major changes with regards to health promotion in our schools since changing the curriculum? Thank you.

Question 198-20(1): Working with Municipalities on Emergency Plans
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 17)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister for that response. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me if the youth counsellor position has been filled in Fort Providence today? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 197-20(1): Health Promotion in Schools
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 17)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, during the last sitting, I did several statements regarding health wellness and health promotion by our government. My statement today will be similar with particular focus on health promotion in schools.

Mr. Speaker, it is critical that our government support the healthy learning and development of all our young people within every school across the NWT. Our government needs to ensure that our future generations develop skills and education necessary to have good healthy lives as they develop from adolescents to adulthood.

Mr. Speaker, as our children and...

Oral Question 163-20(1): Supports Available for Residents of Enterprise
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 14)

Thank you. Any other avenues that have not yet been exhausted within the federal government that may be available to provide support to the displaced residents of Enterprise? Thank you.

Oral Question 163-20(1): Supports Available for Residents of Enterprise
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 14)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are, can the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs detail what programs and services, whether federal or territorial, that were provided to the residents of Enterprise displaced by last year's wildfires? Thank you.

Oral Question 163-20(1): Supports Available for Residents of Enterprise
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 14)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Member for that. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has stated in the media that MACA has exhausted all options to support displaced residents who lost their homes and businesses.

Can the Minister confirm if all options have been, in fact, exhausted and also explain what those exhausted options are? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 158-20(1): Residents Affected by Enterprise Wildfire
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 14)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to my colleagues.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to -- Mr. Speaker, on August 13th, 2023, residents of Enterprise were evacuated from their communities from the threat of a wildfire. As we have spoken about this in the House before, the evacuation of Enterprise was chaotic and traumatic. And for some very unfortunate people, Mr. Speaker, the chaos of the evacuation has not ended.

Mr. Speaker, it is May 24th, 2024. It has been 284 days later, and some NWT residents still have not been able to return home. Some have already left. For many Enterprise residents...

Member’s Statement 151-20(1): Respecting our Elders
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak about the importance of elders and seniors within our community, families, culture, and our overall society.

Mr. Speaker, the generations of today stand on the shoulders of those that came before us. In Dene culture, Mr. Speaker, and in many other cultures, elders have historically been our knowledgeholders, our knowledgekeepers, and they provide guidance on the cultural ways and protocols.

Those who respect the elderly pave their own road to success. That is an African proverb. An elderly person at home is like a living golden treasure...

Motion 21-20(1): Taking Action to Address Housing as a Human Right, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 12)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Housing Northwest Territories has acknowledged the rate of core housing need in the Northwest Territories is significantly higher than the national rate;

AND WHEREAS core housing need in the Northwest Territories has been persistently high and has increased over time;

AND WHEREAS the lack of homes in the Northwest Territories that are suitable, adequate, or affordable contributes to the high number of homeless people in the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS homelessness is a growing challenge facing all Northwest Territories communities;

AND WHEREAS Indigenous...

Motion 20-20(1): Affirming Housing as a Human Right, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 12)

Mr. Speaker, I move this motion because the Government of the Northwest Territories I want the Government of the Northwest Territories to acknowledge that housing is a fundamental human right for residents of the Northwest Territories. This has been recognized by the United Nations, by several countries including Canada.

The Government of Canada amended the National Housing Strategy Act to recognize housing as a human right. In the preamble of the National Housing Strategy Act, it reads: Housing is essential to the inherent dignity and wellbeing of a person. A national housing strategy would...