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

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Chair. The Committee of the Whole wishes to consider Tabled Document 93-20(1), 2024-2025 Main Estimates, the Legislative Assembly, the Department of Environment and Climate Change, and the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs. 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. That's -- I have another question. That's just about that disposal of burnt equipment or lost equipment that is sometimes might be left on the land when people leave their campsite that got burned down. So I was just asking about that one. But that's probably another question for a different area in ECC. Thank you.

Question 265-20(1): Economic Development in Communities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the department track the number of business startups? Can the Minister commit to providing a list of businesses in the Deh Cho riding and the number of businesses that have started in the last three years? 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. And another question I have is because of some of these things were lost in the wildfire and these are located out in areas that are not close to a community, the question I have is any of this going to be used for disposal of some of the stuff that's left out on the land? Like, is this part of that? Thank you.

Question 265-20(1): Economic Development in Communities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Minister for that. What tourism development or economic development initiatives have taken place in my region, the Deh Cho region? 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.

Committee Motion 29-20(1): Tabled Document 93-20(1): 2024-2025 Main Estimates – Municipal and Community Affairs – Deferral of Department of Municipal and Community Affairs, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 23)

Mr. Chair, I move that the chair rise and report progress.

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. My question is about disaster compensation, 225. How many cabins that were lost in the wildfire of last year, does the Minister know how many of the cabins that were lost and compensated from last year? Thank you.