YELLOWKNIFE (April 19, 2012) – Premier Bob McLeod is today announcing the retirement of Mr. Dan Daniels as Deputy Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE).

Mr. Daniels was born and raised in the Northwest Territories and is the Government of the Northwest Territories’ longest-serving Aboriginal Deputy Minister. He was appointed Deputy Minister of ECE in April 2006 and was formerly the Assistant Deputy Minister, Advanced Education and the Assistant Deputy Minister, Education and Culture. Mr. Daniels was also Campus Director at Aurora College and has held several senior positions within the department.

In his time as Deputy Minister, Mr. Daniels has been responsible for overseeing the ongoing implementation of reforms to income security programs designed to help NWT residents achieve greater self-reliance, implemented initiatives to improve French-language services, including Services TNO and the recently-opened Francophone Affairs Secretariat, led the development of the Aboriginal Languages Plan to help strengthen Aboriginal languages, and led the development of the Aboriginal Student Achievement Initiative intended to help close the education gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students.

“I would like to thank Mr. Daniels for his years of dedicated service to the people of the Northwest Territories,” said Premier Bob McLeod. “His leadership and commitment have been instrumental to the success of Education, Culture and Employment, ensuring that NWT residents have access to educational opportunities and the supports they need to make productive choices and that our arts and culture continue to flourish.”

Mr. Daniels will retire effective May 11, 2012 and will spend the next few weeks transitioning his responsibilities to Ms. Gloria Iatridis, who will be Acting Deputy Minister until further notice.

For more information:

Megan Holsapple
Media Liaison
Office of the Premier and Executive Council
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2302
Fax: (867) 873-0111