Introducing our Board of Directors
Bobby Drygeese - Chair
Joe Handley
Ethel Liske
Cindy Allen
Mary Rose Sundberg
Lena Black
The Board of Directors are dedicated and there for the best interest of the YKDFN.
Bobby Drygeese
Bobby is a Yellowknives Dene First Nation person born and raised in Dettah and living the traditional way of life.
His experience working for tourism, community programs and in the education field, have allowed Bobby to cultivate the relationships (both on the customer side and with the people delivering these programs) which help make this business a success.
Bobby comes from a long line of Dene Chiefs: His Great-grandfather was a signatory in the Treaty 8 signing and his Grandfather was Chief in the late 1960s when Queen Elizabeth came to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, also known as Chief Drygeese Territory.
His experience working for tourism, community programs and in the education field, have allowed Bobby to cultivate the relationships (both on the customer side and with the people delivering these programs) which help make this business a success.
Bobby comes from a long line of Dene Chiefs: His Great-grandfather was a signatory in the Treaty 8 signing and his Grandfather was Chief in the late 1960s when Queen Elizabeth came to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, also known as Chief Drygeese Territory.
Joe Handley
Mr. Handley comes to the board with a wealth of experience from his training and early career in Education, years of leadership in territorial government and public service, and continuing work and advisory roles in the Northwest Territories.
Following his studies in Education, Mr. Handley spent time teaching at universities at home and abroad, including a native education program at the University of Manitoba, training teachers to work in aboriginal and northern communities.
Mr. Handley joined the Government of the NWT in 1985 and served as deputy minister in a number of portfolios including education, Renewable Resources, the NWT Housing Corporation, Transportation, and Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development.
In 1999, he was elected to the NWT Legislature and became Minister of Finance. During his time in the legislative assembly he took on roles as Chair of the Financial Management Board, Minister Responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board, Minister of Transportation, and Minister Responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. In 2003, Mr. Handley was re-elected to the Legislature and served a term as Premier of Northwest Territories. Mr. Handley retired in 2007.
Since retiring, Mr. Handley continues to live and work in the Yellowknife community. He has advised on a number of northern government and business initiatives, including as a panel member of the 2012 Economic Opportunities Strategy and consultant for the 2014 Transportation Strategy.
Mr. Handley is a current board member of the Det’on Cho Corporation and the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. . Joe lives with his wife Theresa in Yellowknife.
Following his studies in Education, Mr. Handley spent time teaching at universities at home and abroad, including a native education program at the University of Manitoba, training teachers to work in aboriginal and northern communities.
Mr. Handley joined the Government of the NWT in 1985 and served as deputy minister in a number of portfolios including education, Renewable Resources, the NWT Housing Corporation, Transportation, and Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development.
In 1999, he was elected to the NWT Legislature and became Minister of Finance. During his time in the legislative assembly he took on roles as Chair of the Financial Management Board, Minister Responsible for the Workers’ Compensation Board, Minister of Transportation, and Minister Responsible for the NWT Power Corporation. In 2003, Mr. Handley was re-elected to the Legislature and served a term as Premier of Northwest Territories. Mr. Handley retired in 2007.
Since retiring, Mr. Handley continues to live and work in the Yellowknife community. He has advised on a number of northern government and business initiatives, including as a panel member of the 2012 Economic Opportunities Strategy and consultant for the 2014 Transportation Strategy.
Mr. Handley is a current board member of the Det’on Cho Corporation and the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board. . Joe lives with his wife Theresa in Yellowknife.
Ethel Liske
Member of Yellowknives Dene First Nation obtained Grade 12 Diploma from Sir John Franklin High School and Administration Certificate from Lethbridge Community College.
I sat on several different boards on behalf of YDKFN, Stanton Hospital Board, YKDFN Health Board and Recreational Board.
Employed by the NWT Treaty 8 Tribal Corporation as Negotiation Coordinator and coordinate all activities relating to Akaitcho Negotiation Process on behalf of Akaitcho Dene First Nations.
I was responsible for preparation of annual budgets, proposals and activity reports. Coordinate all meetings relating to Akaitcho Negotiation process.
I sat on several different boards on behalf of YDKFN, Stanton Hospital Board, YKDFN Health Board and Recreational Board.
Employed by the NWT Treaty 8 Tribal Corporation as Negotiation Coordinator and coordinate all activities relating to Akaitcho Negotiation Process on behalf of Akaitcho Dene First Nations.
I was responsible for preparation of annual budgets, proposals and activity reports. Coordinate all meetings relating to Akaitcho Negotiation process.
Cindy Allen
Cindy is a Weledeh, Yellowknives Dene, Tlicho person who grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba but found my way north in the 1990s to reconnect with her Dene family.
Her parents are Christine Allen (Doctor) and Richard Allen. Her grandparents are Marie-Adele Doctor (Martin) and Gabriel Doctor from Enodah/N’dilo. She is a Treaty 8 member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and is also a descendant of Chief Monfwi, the signatory to Treaty 11 for the Tlicho Nation in 1921.
Cindy has a Master’s degree in Canadian and Native Studies from Carleton University, and a certificate in conflict resolution from the Justice Institute of British Columbia. In 2014, Cindy completed a juris doctor (law degree) from the University of British Columbia as an Exceptional Graduate.
For more than 15 years, Cindy has worked in area of Aboriginal governance as an Implementation Official and as a Negotiator of land claims, self-government, implementation, fiscal and economic benefit agreements in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories (NWT) and the Yukon. Cindy is knowledgeable about Aboriginal law, corporate law, natural resources law and indigenous legal traditions.
As a Director of DCC, Cindy intends to use her knowledge and skills to provide effective corporate governance in decision-making to DCC Board of Directors to ensure that the business and other interests of YKDFN as DCC’s shareholder are duly considered and balanced alongside the economic prosperity of DCC.
Cindy is passionate about the north and loves being outdoors running, hiking, biking and enjoying cookouts around campfires with friends and family. Cindy currently lives in the Yukon.
Her parents are Christine Allen (Doctor) and Richard Allen. Her grandparents are Marie-Adele Doctor (Martin) and Gabriel Doctor from Enodah/N’dilo. She is a Treaty 8 member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and is also a descendant of Chief Monfwi, the signatory to Treaty 11 for the Tlicho Nation in 1921.
Cindy has a Master’s degree in Canadian and Native Studies from Carleton University, and a certificate in conflict resolution from the Justice Institute of British Columbia. In 2014, Cindy completed a juris doctor (law degree) from the University of British Columbia as an Exceptional Graduate.
For more than 15 years, Cindy has worked in area of Aboriginal governance as an Implementation Official and as a Negotiator of land claims, self-government, implementation, fiscal and economic benefit agreements in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories (NWT) and the Yukon. Cindy is knowledgeable about Aboriginal law, corporate law, natural resources law and indigenous legal traditions.
As a Director of DCC, Cindy intends to use her knowledge and skills to provide effective corporate governance in decision-making to DCC Board of Directors to ensure that the business and other interests of YKDFN as DCC’s shareholder are duly considered and balanced alongside the economic prosperity of DCC.
Cindy is passionate about the north and loves being outdoors running, hiking, biking and enjoying cookouts around campfires with friends and family. Cindy currently lives in the Yukon.
Mary Rose Sundberg
Was raised in T’è ehdaà and went to school at St. Patrick High School, took several management courses at Aurora College, studied Linguistic part-time at University of Calgary, University of Alberta, she owns and operate her business of interpreting and translating since 1990 and is now the Executive Director of a non-profit society – Goyatiko Language Society since 2001.
She been elected to YKDFN council for the fourth time since 2000; sat on Dettah School Board and was Chair for many years since 1987, previously sat on Det’o cho board of directors. She is the great-granddaughter of Chief Jean (Madzıı) Baptise Drygeese, who signed the treaty of 1921 (Treaty 8).
Her other grandfather Chief Joseph (It’o) Sangris was Chief for 32 years. Like her grandfathers, she dedicates her life to serving her community and believes her knowledge of the community helps her improve community development and prosperity.
Her dedication for her love of the language, culture, history of her people keeps her rooted in the community which helps her keep working for her people.
She been elected to YKDFN council for the fourth time since 2000; sat on Dettah School Board and was Chair for many years since 1987, previously sat on Det’o cho board of directors. She is the great-granddaughter of Chief Jean (Madzıı) Baptise Drygeese, who signed the treaty of 1921 (Treaty 8).
Her other grandfather Chief Joseph (It’o) Sangris was Chief for 32 years. Like her grandfathers, she dedicates her life to serving her community and believes her knowledge of the community helps her improve community development and prosperity.
Her dedication for her love of the language, culture, history of her people keeps her rooted in the community which helps her keep working for her people.
Lena Black
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Lena Black is a Yellowknives Dene First Nation member who was raised in the community of Ndilo. She is also an elected member of the Band Council. Lena joined the Deton Cho Corporation’s Board of Directors in 2017, and is looking forward to the commitment and challenge of being on the Board. Lena brings with her 15 plus years of public service work experience, mainly with the local Territorial Government. In addition to her volunteer work with her son's local broomball league and the Yellowknives Dene First Nation events, Lena also serves a role with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation’s Youth Advisory Board Society. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family being a hockey mom, playing board games, being a great aunty to the little ones…and, she does enjoy a little traveling.