Ethel Blondin-Andrew  Sahtu Secretariat Incorporated Chairperson

Ethel Blondin-Andrew is a mountain Dene, born in Tulita, Northwest Territories. Ethel is a speaker of Dene Language and spent her formative years on the land in the Sahtu Region of the Mackenzie Valley until 1959 when she attended Grollier Hall, a Residential School, in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. At age 14, Ethel attended the Grandin College Leadership Program in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories and continued her education, receiving a diploma from the Teacher Education Program at Arctic College and a Bachelor of Education Degree at the University of Alberta.

 Ethel taught in Tuktoyaktuk, Deline, Fort Providence, and Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. From 1984-1986, Ethel served as a Senior Public Servant with the Public Service Commission in Ottawa and before returning to the north to join the Government of the Northwest Territories as Assistant Deputy Minister for Culture from 1986 to 1988. During her tenure with the Government of the Northwest Territories, Ethel served on the Artic Institute of North America for two terms as well as the Assembly of First Nations Aboriginal Language Committee and worked on the Special Committee on Education for the GNWT.

 In 1988, Ethel was elected to Parliament-first aboriginal woman elected to the House of Commons. Ethel went to win the next four federal elections in 1993, 1997, 2000, and 2004. Ethel is well-known for her advocacy on Northern issues and the needs and issues of Aboriginal people across Canada. She has been tireless on issues including children with special needs, women's issues, and the health of Aboriginal people. Ethel is a recognized leader in Aboriginal communities across the NWT who has earned the reputation of being an individual who is respected and trusted by all.

 Grand Chief Frank Andrew-Sahtu Dene Council

Frank Andrew was elected as Chief of Tulita Dene Band Council in 1998 and was appointed as the Grand Chief of the Sahtu Dene Council within the same year. Frank maintains both positions to this day. 

Frank Andrew is also the President of the Tulita Development Corporation and a Board of Director for the Tulita Land Corporation. He was also the former President of the Tulita Hunters and Trappers Association.

In addition to his political responsibilities, Grand Chief Frank Andrew was instrumental in finalizing the Sahtu Dene Council Pipeline Trust, an agreement guaranteeing a share of the profits of the proposed $16 billion Mackenzie Gas Project for the Sahtu people. 

A former big game guide with a strong passion for the well-being of his people, Grand Chief Frank Andrew has served his community and the surrounding Sahtu region most of his working life. Grand Chief Frank Andrew continues to balance his busy political schedule and leadership responsibilities with the traditional lifestyle of a Sahtu Dene. Frank speaks fluent north slavey and is a strong advocate for the preservation of the language and culture of his people.