Introducing our Board of Directors
Bobby Drygeese - Chair
Lena Black
Jonas Sangris
Richard Edjericon
Ethel Liske
Joe Handley
Catherine Cudmore
The Board of Directors are dedicated and there for the best interest of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.
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.
Lena Black
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 Det'on Cho Corporation’s Board of Directors in 2017, and again in 2019, 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 her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing board games, being a great auntie to the little ones…and, she does enjoy a little family traveling.
Jonas Sangris
Pending
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.
Richard Edjericon
Pending
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.
Catherine Cudmore
Cathy has been actively engaged providing clients services across the north with accounting, audit and financial management services for over twenty-six years. She joined Avery Cooper in 1992 as a CGA student and junior accountant and became a manager soon after attaining her CGA designation in 1996.
Cathy became a partner with the firm in 2004. Her many clients, past and present, include housing and local government organizations, education, health and social services agencies, other government agencies, First Nations organizations and a wide variety of private enterprises. In addition to her many responsibilities as Audit/Review Principal of one of the largest public practice firms in the north, Cathy has also been the firm’s Human Resources Principal since 2004.
Cathy received the FCGA (FCPA) designation in 2016, a professional honour conferred on Certified General Accountants who have made a significant contribution to the profession and in 2019 received a Distinguished Service Award as well as the Lee-Anne Tompkins Community Service Award from the Association for service to the accounting community.
Cathy became a partner with the firm in 2004. Her many clients, past and present, include housing and local government organizations, education, health and social services agencies, other government agencies, First Nations organizations and a wide variety of private enterprises. In addition to her many responsibilities as Audit/Review Principal of one of the largest public practice firms in the north, Cathy has also been the firm’s Human Resources Principal since 2004.
Cathy received the FCGA (FCPA) designation in 2016, a professional honour conferred on Certified General Accountants who have made a significant contribution to the profession and in 2019 received a Distinguished Service Award as well as the Lee-Anne Tompkins Community Service Award from the Association for service to the accounting community.