Overview
Function
The Official Languages Board is established to advise and make recommendations to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment with respect to any matter within its purview. Its focus is on services.
Jurisdiction
Government of the Northwest Territories
Department Responsible
Department of Education, Culture & Employment
Authority
NWT Official Languages Act
Board Composition
The Board is comprised of at least eleven members; one member of each of the Chipewyan, Cree, English, French, Gwich’in, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey, and Tłı̨chǫ language communities.
Members are nominated by prescribed representatives of each of the official language communities.
Alternate Members
There are eleven alternate members on the Board.
Chairperson
The Board members shall designate a Chairperson from among their number.
Vice-Chairperson
The Board members shall designate a Vice-Chairperson from among their number.
Quorum
Quorum is six members.
Appointment Instrument
Term Duration
A member holds office during pleasure for a term of two years.
Time and Travel Requirements
The Board generally meets in person at least once or twice a year, based on specific issues. Other meetings are conducted by teleconference. Most meetings take place in Yellowknife.
Remuneration
Members shall receive remuneration according to Executive Council classification and Financial Management Board Secretariat directives.
Category - Advisory
Advisory Chairperson - up to $300 per day
Member - up to $250 per day
Chair and members – 50% per half-day (i.e., 3.5 hours or less), for work on board business for each day of meetings
Other Considerations
Members must be a resident of the Northwest Territories.
A member may resign at any time by notifying the Minister in writing.
Presently, there are no active organizations representing the English and Inuktitut language community in the NWT.
Current Membership
| Position | Appointee | Term Start | Term Expiry | Number of Terms | Appointed By | Nominating Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Member (Inuvialuktun) |
Deanna Marie Jacobson (Inuvialuktun) |
2018-03-15 | 2020-03-14 | 1st term | The Commissioner in Executive Council | |
| 2. Member (Cree) |
Vance Sanderson (Cree) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 1st term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Northwest Territory Métis Nation |
| 3. Member (Chipewyan) |
Angie Lantz (Chipewyan) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 1st term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Akaitcho Territory Government, Yellowknives Dene First Nation |
| 4. Member (Gwich'in) |
Eleanor Mitchell-Firth (Gwich'in) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 1st term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Gwich’in Tribal Council |
| 5. Member (Inuinnaqtun) |
Emily Kudlak (Inuinnaqtun) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 3rd term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Inuvialuit Culture Resource Centre, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation |
| 6. Member (North Slavey) |
Leonard Kenny (North Slavey) |
2018-03-15 | 2020-03-14 | 1st term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated |
| 7. Member (Tłı̨chǫ) |
Tammy Steinwand-Deschambeault (Tłı̨chǫ) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 2nd term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Rae-Edzo Friendship Centre, Yellowknives Dene First Nation |
| 8. Member (South Slavey) |
Jonas Landry (South Slavey) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 2nd term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Dehcho First Nation |
| 9. Member (Inuktitut) |
(Vacant - 2 year term) | Commissioner in Executive Council | Inuktitut Advisory Committee | |||
| 10. Member (English) |
(Vacant - 2 year term) | Commissioner in Executive Council | Ministerial Council on Literacy | |||
| 11. Member (French) |
Richard Létourneau (French) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 2nd term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Fédération franco-ténoise |
| 12. Alternate (Cree) |
Mary Cardinal (Cree) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 2nd term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Northwest Territory Métis Nation |
| 13. Alternate (Chipewyan) |
Mary Rose Sundberg (Chipewyan) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 1st term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Akaitcho Territory Government, Yellowknives Dene First Nation |
| 14. Alternate (Gwich'in) |
Karen Mitchell (Gwich'in) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 1st term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Gwich’in Tribal Council |
| 15. Alternate (Inuinnaqtun) |
Joshua Oliktoak (Inuinnaqtun) |
2018-03-15 | 2020-03-14 | 3rd term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Inuvialuit Culture Resource Centre, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation |
| 16. Alternate (Inuvialuktun) |
Betty Elias (Inuvialuktun) |
2018-03-15 | 2020-03-14 | 1st term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Inuvialuit Culture Resource Centre, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation |
| 17. Alternate (North Slavey) |
Bella T'Seleie (North Slavey) |
2018-03-15 | 2020-03-14 | 1st term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated |
| 18. Alternate (Tłı̨chǫ) |
(Vacant - 2 year term) | Commissioner in Executive Council | Rae-Edzo Friendship Centre, Yellowknives Dene First Nation | |||
| 19. Alternate (South Slavey) |
Sarah Gargan (South Slavey) |
2017-12-14 | 2019-12-13 | 1st term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Dehcho First Nation |
| 20. Alternate (Inuktitut) |
(Vacant - 2 year term) | Commissioner in Executive Council | Inuktitut Advisory Committee | |||
| 21. Alternate (English) |
(Vacant - 2 year term) | Commissioner in Executive Council | Ministerial Council on Literacy | |||
| 22. Alternate (French) |
Linda Bussey (French) |
2018-10-11 | 2020-10-11 | 1st term | Commissioner in Executive Council | Fédération franco-ténoise |