Richard Nerysoo facts for kids

Richard Nerysoo (born in 1953) is an important leader from the Northwest Territories in Canada. He was a member of the Northwest Territories Legislature for many years, from 1979 to 1995. During this time, he made history by becoming the third premier of the Northwest Territories and also served as the Speaker of the Assembly.

Richard Nerysoo's Political Journey

Richard Nerysoo had a long and impactful career as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Northwest Territories.

Early Political Steps

He was first elected in the 1979 Northwest Territories general election to represent the Mackenzie Delta area. When he was elected, he became the youngest MLA in the history of the Northwest Territories.

Leading the Northwest Territories

Nerysoo was re-elected in the 1983 Northwest Territories general election. After this election, the Legislative Assembly chose him to be the third Premier of the Northwest Territories. This was a very special moment because he became:

• The first Indigenous person in Canada to serve as a Premier.
• The youngest Premier in Canadian history.
• The first Premier of the Northwest Territories who was born there.

He was re-elected again in the 1987 Northwest Territories general election.

Serving as Speaker

Richard Nerysoo made history once more on October 19, 1989. He was elected as the first Indigenous Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. He held this important role until November 13, 1991. He was re-elected for a fourth time in the 1991 Northwest Territories general election. In the 1995 Northwest Territories general election, another candidate named David Krutko won the election, and Nerysoo was not re-elected.

Beyond the Legislature

After his time in the Legislative Assembly, Richard Nerysoo continued to be a strong leader for his community.

• In 1996, he was elected as the President of the Gwich'in Tribal Council and served until 2000.
• He was one of the people who helped start the Aboriginal Pipeline Group.
• Nerysoo also helped create the Gwich'in Council International. This group represents the Gwich'in people in Alaska, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories on the Arctic Council.

In 2003, Nerysoo was elected as the Chief of the Inuvik Native Band and President of the Nihtat Gwich'in Council. He served in these roles until 2008. He was also chosen to be the Chief Negotiator for agreements with Imperial Oil Ltd. for the Mackenzie Gas Project.

He was elected as President of the Gwich'in Tribal Council again from 2008 to 2012. During this time, he also served as the Chair and President of the Gwich'in Development Corporation.

Nerysoo was a member of the Working Group on Natural Resources Development, representing the Assembly of First Nations. He was also chosen as the Co-chair of the Chiefs Committee on Economic Development.

He also served as the Chief Negotiator for the First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun regarding their rights and interests across the Northwest Territories.