Nick Sibbeston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nick G. Sibbeston
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Senator for Northwest Territories | |
| In office September 2, 1999 – November 21, 2017 |
|
| Nominated by | Jean Chrétien |
| Appointed by | Roméo LeBlanc |
| Preceded by | Willie Adams |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Dawn Anderson |
| 4th Premier of the Northwest Territories | |
| In office November 5, 1985 – November 12, 1987 |
|
| Commissioner | John Havelock Parker |
| Preceded by | Richard Nerysoo |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Patterson |
| MLA for Mackenzie-Laird | |
| In office December 21, 1970 – March 10, 1975 |
|
| Preceded by | first member |
| Succeeded by | William Lafferty |
| In office October 1, 1979 – November 21, 1983 |
|
| Preceded by | William Lafferty |
| Succeeded by | district abolished |
| MLA for Deh Cho Gah | |
| In office November 21, 1983 – October 5, 1987 |
|
| Preceded by | first member |
| Succeeded by | district abolished |
| MLA for Nahendeh | |
| In office October 5, 1987 – October 15, 1991 |
|
| Preceded by | first member |
| Succeeded by | Jim Antoine |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 21, 1943 Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Political party | Non-affiliated |
| Other political affiliations |
Liberal (until 2014) Independent Liberal (2014-2016) |
| Spouse | Karen Sibbeston |
| Alma mater | University of Alberta |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Profession | politician |
Nick G. Sibbeston (born November 21, 1943) is a Canadian politician who is now retired. He was the fourth Premier of the Northwest Territories from 1985 to 1987. He also served as a Senator for the Northwest Territories from 1999 until 2017. Before that, he was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories for the area of Mackenzie-Laird from 1970 to 1975 and again from 1979 until 1991.
Contents
Growing Up and Education
Nick Sibbeston is Métis and grew up in Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. As a child, he attended special schools for Indigenous children called residential schools. He went to these schools in Fort Simpson, Providence, Inuvik, and Yellowknife.
Later, he studied at the University of Alberta. He earned two degrees there: a Bachelor of Arts and a Law degree.
Political Career
Serving the Northwest Territories
In 1970, Nick Sibbeston was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. This is like the local government for the Northwest Territories. He served for four years. In the next election in 1975, he was not re-elected.
He was elected again in 1979 and continued to be an MLA until 1991. During this time, he was chosen to be part of the Executive Council, which is like the cabinet of the territorial government.
In 1981, during a heated discussion, Sibbeston threw a cup of coffee at the speaker of the legislature. Because of this, he was asked to leave the meeting.
He served in the Executive Council for six years. Then, from 1985 to 1987, he was elected to be the fourth Premier of the Northwest Territories. The Premier is the leader of the territorial government.
Working for the Government
After 1991, Sibbeston worked for the Government of Northwest Territories. He was a justice specialist and helped manage public services for Deh Cho Health & Social Services.
He also spent four years on the Canadian Human Rights Panel/Tribunal. This group helps make sure people's rights are protected. He also advised a TV show called North of 60 on culture and the Slavey language.
National Politics
On September 2, 1999, Nick Sibbeston was chosen to join the Senate of Canada. The Senate is part of Canada's national government. He was appointed by the Prime Minister at the time, Jean Chrétien.
In the Senate, one of his main goals was to find a new name for the Northwest Territories. He also worked on important issues for the North. These included the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline, improving roads and buildings, and dealing with climate change mitigation. He also wanted to help Indigenous people get more involved in the economy.
In 2014, the leader of the Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau, announced that all Liberal Senators, including Sibbeston, would no longer be part of the main Liberal group in the Senate. They would become Independent Senators. Sibbeston agreed with this decision. He said that the Northwest Territories also did not use a party system in its government.
In May 2016, Sibbeston officially left the Liberal group in the Senate to sit as an independent senator.
In September 2017, Sibbeston announced he would leave the Senate on November 21, his 74th birthday. He retired a year before he had to. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family, travel, and focus on his spirituality. He also planned to translate Catholic liturgy into the Dene language.
