Mayor Frank Pope
Frank Pope moved from Scotland to Canada to work for the well-known Hudson’s Bay Company and was based in Northern Ontario. Then, he went to Nunavik, to Nunavut and at last, to the Northwest Territories. When he first came in the west of the country, Mr. Pope worked for the Indian Affairs Branch in Fort Chipewyan and Fort Vermillion, Alberta. Later, he pursued his journey up north to work with Northern Affairs in Aklavik, before transferring in 1969 to the new Northwest Territories’ government in Fort Good Hope.
Relocated this time to Inuvik, Mr. Pope assisted to develop and implement training programs related to Beaufort Sea/ Mackenzie Delta oil and gas developments as well as the Dempster Highway construction’s project. After this job with the government, he chose to spend the next fifteen years working in Norman Wells for the Shihta Regional Council DIZ Group, specializing in oil and gas exploration activities in the Sahtu Region.
Mr. Pope also acted for several years as a member of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board, assessing mineral, oil and gas development projects. The government offered him to become Regional Petroleum Advisor by joining RWED/ITI in the Sahtu Region as a conclusion of his remarkable career, which ended the year of 2017.
Frank Pope has been married to Cathy for over 42 years. His daughter Elizabeth and his son Jimmy are both teachers, the first in Hay River and the second at Yukon College while his daughter June and son Stuart both live and work in Norman Wells.
Councillor Kacee Hunter
Lifer and lover of all things Norman Wells. I moved to town when I was 6 months old, and am proud to call Norman Wells my home. Im enjoying settling down and raising my young daughter in the town I grew up in as I know Norman Wells has a great deal of opportunity for everyone. Whether it be hanging at the curling club, swimming at Bosworth falls, putting my quad in the drink, or skidooing our great trails, I like to enjoy the many things there are to do here. Times are a changing and there’s no place I’d rather be so I am looking forward to the next few years seeing what can be achieved on council.
Councillor Kelly McCoy
My name is Kelly McCoy I was born in Edmonton Alberta in 1962. Raised in a family of 9 kids. My parents are Donald and Lila McCoy (both departed) originally from Wetaskiwin Alberta.
I started working in Norman Wells in 1989. At the time, I was a single parent with three children. I worked here on rotation for 4 years until I was given an opportunity to move into Norman Wells with my family. Raising a family as a single parent is extremely difficult let alone working away from home at the same time.
I met Ruby at the Mackenzie House where she worked and I stayed. She agreed that we should move in together as a blended family with my children and her son Robert. He was 3 years old. I moved my three kids from Edmonton with very few belongings in to Norman Wells in September 1993.
I was working on site at imperial oil as an industrial insulator/foreman.
Ruby gave birth to our youngest daughter Cora in 1994. Ruby and I were married in Fort Good Hope in 1995.
One of my sisters (Terry Guest) and her spouse and 3 children were living in NW at this time and she eventually worked Admin in the Town Office.
In 2000 we moved from town out to DOT lake and that same year we started our business subcontracting primarily to ledcor and Jacobs on site at IOR.
We purchased our shop in town, in 2007 and continue to operate currently.
Over the years of living and working in NW, I have developed many skills both to help reduce the cost of maintenance of my own properties which has enabled us to broaden our list of services as a company to our community and to our neighbors in the Sahtu.
We still occasionally get some work from AECOM on site, although it’s been very challenging to make our obligations since We were not invited back to site with the current general contractor when they won the maintenance contract at IOR in 2015.
We have endured many challenges and health issues and been blessed with accomplishments over the years. Our children were raised in this town and we are very proud of everyone of them.
We have made many friends over the years only to see a large number of them move away . Some have passed on and some remain here in Norman Wells and we’re very happy to call them friends and good neighbours. People like Monica and Jerry Loomis, Mark and Cindy Collier, Eddie and Mitsy Hogson only to name a few of the long list over the years!
I can’t speak for my children but my wife and I plan on staying here in Norman Wells indefinitely.
My biggest regret about living in Norman Wells is not contributing more time on a volunteer basis with all of the good people who have donated their valuable time although I have worked with our church for quite some time thanks to Monica and Mitsy.
Councillor Alexis Peachey
Alexis Peachey moved to Norman Wells in 2003 with a plan to work at the big bar for a couple months while visiting her sister. Those months turned into years and Alexis went from bartending to being employed by S.R.P. Petroleum for the last 16+ years as the Office Manager. She is involved with many organizations in town including Volleyball and Softball and willingly volunteers her free time to any community event.
Alexis has been re-elected for a second term on Council and is excited to continue working for the residents of Norman Wells. Alexis has been on the Recreation Committee for the last 3 years as co-chair and believes that recreation in all forms makes for a healthy community and is looking forward to continuing the momentum from last term and start the implementation of the Recreation Master Plan.
Alexis was the driving force behind the creation of the “Advancement of Equity and Inclusion Committee” with a mandate to lead equity, inclusion and social wellbeing strategies across the corporation and partner with the community to promote equitable, inclusive, and sustainable service access and a workforce that reflects the diverse population of Norman Wells. This committee isn’t yet a year old but changes to by-laws, procedures, and policies are already underway. The committee members are educating themselves on the reports published by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the National Inquiry into Murderer and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls as well as familiarizing themselves with the United Nation’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The hope is to integrate all three within Municipal By-laws, procedures, and policies in respectful and meaningful ways as part of the Town of Norman Wells’ journey of reflection and reconciliation.
Alexis is looking forward to another three years of serving her community with dedication and hard work with a focus towards expanding current recreation programs, services, and infrastructure; creating and completing short and long term goals for promoting equity, inclusion and social wellbeing throughout the organization and community; and advocacy for Norman Wells’ Residents and the Sahtu Region regarding topics like health care, housing, and food security.
Councillor Trevor Smith
Trevor Smith moved to Norman Wells 9 years ago and has been a Northern resident for 27 years. He has been employed by the Government of the Northwest Territories for the last 8 and a half years and is currently working as a Programs Advisor for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Trevor is involved with many organizations in town including senior men’s hockey, softball and golf associations as much as the Royal Canadian Legion. He also enjoys participating in both summer and winter recreation activities whether they are inside or outside.
Councillor Dave Wever
My name is Dave Wever and I have been re-elected as a Councillor for the Town of Norman Wells. I am excited to continue this journey in municipal governance.
I was not always from Norman Wells, but my family and I are now proud to call it home. I grew up in a small town in southern Alberta called Bow Island. I spent my childhood in this area where I attended school, worked on a family farm, and got married to my lovely wife Brit. One might describe this time of my life as the most stereo-typical Albertan upbringing. I was involved in the cattle, farm, and oil field industries. Brit and I decided to make a move and change careers paths shortly after our first son George was born. I started working my way through an apprenticeship for Instrumentation working for Tarpon Energy, which landed us in Red Deer. I attended the Red Deer Collage and received my trades ticket. I then applied for a position with Imperial Oil Norman Wells. In the cold winter of 2015, I accepted the position with Imperial, so we packed up and moved to Norman Wells. We instantly fell in love with the community, we loved the freedom, the friendly people, and the natural environment we were surrounded by. It did not take long before we purchase our own home and small business, Sahtu Gardens, which Brit continues to own and operate. We had a desire to grow our family and over the years we’ve had the opportunity to welcome many foster children into our home.
My political life started to take shape in the fall of 2018 where I was elected as a councilor. My duties included chairing the Town Planning and Land Use Committee, where we successfully completed a new community plan. I diligently attended council meeting and took part fully in the shaping of our community. I have found in this experience that I really love politics and did not hesitate to run for office once again.
I am thankful to be re-elected on this second term and will continue to work my hardest for the good people of Norman Wells.
Council Meetings
Regular Council Meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7:00pm in Council Chambers located at #3 Mackenzie Drive, Norman Wells. Meeting notices can be found under the events section of this website. Council meetings are available to the public in person and via Microsoft teams.
Committee of the Whole Meetings are generally held the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 12:00pm in Council Chambers located at #3 Mackenzie Drive, Norman Wells. Meeting notices can be found under the events section of this website. Council meetings are available to the public in persona and are also available via microsoft teams.
Meeting Agendas are posted by 5:00pm the Friday before the scheduled meeting.
Delegation
Delegations are typically requested by residents or local community groups wishing to speak to or make a request to Council.
Requests for delegations must be submitted to the Town Clerk (towninformation@normanwells.com) no later than the Thursday prior to the preferred meeting by 5:00PM. Delegates must state the reason for the request to speak. Council may, at their discretion, accept or refuse a last minute delegation.
Oaths of Office – November 2, 2021
