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 75-20(1): 2023 Enterprise Wildfire Management
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I know that fire lookout towers were widely used tool to combat wildfires in the past. Can the Minister tell us if fire lookout towers are still being used by ECC across the NWT, and are they still considered an effective tool to use against wildfires? Thank you.

Question 75-20(1): 2023 Enterprise Wildfire Management
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 8)

Thank you, and thank you to the Member for that the Minister. Mr. Speaker, I understand that this ECC Minister was not Minister on August 13th last year, but can the Minister explain if the department was aware of the level of risk that Enterprise was in that day when they were forced to evacuate the community? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 90-20(1): Impacts of 2023 Wildfires on Dehcho Communities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are understandably feeling angry, hurt, and abandoned by our government as a result of the wildfires and its after math. I will have questions for the Minister of ECC later today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Motion 17-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Tabled Document 27-20(1), Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 8)

Recorded vote, please.

Motion to amend Motion 9-20(1): Establishing a Public Inquiry into the 2023 Wildfires – Safe Disclosure, Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last summer was a smokey summer.

Mr. Speaker, I second this motion requesting a public inquiry into the wildfire because the people I represent want to know the truth. People in my riding fled from their communities with very little notice. Houses were consumed by fire and many people are still displaced to this day.

An elderly lady that I from my community was was medevaced out of the hospital from here, brought to Vancouver, and her escort was sent to Calgary, and the elderly lady passed away in Vancouver by herself without her family members. There was a young guy...

Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 8)

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

Question 75-20(1): 2023 Enterprise Wildfire Management
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain if ECC has in place any sort of early warning detection system for natural disasters to help protect communities in an answer safety to disasters? Thank you.

Question 75-20(1): 2023 Enterprise Wildfire Management
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Environment and Climate Change explain why the GNWT failed to contact the community of Enterprise on August 13th to inform them of an impending wildfire that was being pushed towards them very quickly due to high winds? Thank you.

Member’s Statement 90-20(1): Impacts of 2023 Wildfires on Dehcho Communities
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you know all the communities in my riding were hardest hit from the wildfires last summer. Deh Cho region residents, like other South Slave communities, fled on a moment's notice as the fires burned out of control towards our communities. Mr. Speaker, K'atlodeeche First Nations was evacuated twice during the summer of 2023 for a total of 61 days. That community lost 18 homes, their band office, and Dene Cultural Institute was burned. Enterprise was completely devastated losing roughly 90 percent of their entire community with only about eight houses left...

Motion 17-20(1): Government of the Northwest Territories Response to Tabled Document 27-20(1), Carried
Debates of , 20th Assembly, 1st Session (day 8)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Tabled Document 2720(1) is a petition signed by 1,077 people, including 396 residents of the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS Tabled Document 2720(1) does not strictly conform with our rules to be submitted as a petition; and

THEREFORE I MOVE, second by the Member for Yellowknife North, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to Tabled Document 2720(1) and table it in this House within 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.