Daniel L. Norris

Daniel L. Norris (1935 – August 5, 2008) was Commissioner of the Northwest Territories from October 2, 1989 until September 30, 1994. Norris was born in 1935^[1] near Inuvik and was raised in Aklavik.^[2] Norris died on August 5, 2008 from heart failure, a complication of his long-time struggle with diabetes.^[3]

Biography

Daniel Norris was born in 1935 near Inuvik in the Mackenzie Delta. Raised in Aklavik, Norris reportedly aspired to become a trapper like his father.^[4] Norris served for 27 years in the Northwest Territories government's public service, including four years spent as a regional administrator in the Beaufort Delta. Norris started in the public service in what was then the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, and rose within that Department to become its Regional Superintendent of Personnel.^[5] On October 2, 1989, Norris was appointed as the territory's 11th Commissioner, making him the first Aboriginal born in the north of Canada to be appointed to that role.^[3] Between his appointment in 1989 and his leaving his role on September 30, 1994, Norris was forced to set out new protocols for the role of the Commissioner, as the position had some legislative function up until three years prior to Norris taking up the job.^[3]

On August 5, 2008, Norris died in an Edmonton hospital of heart failure, following a protracted struggle with diabetes. On August 7, Northwest Territories government buildings with flagpoles flew their flags at half-mast in memory of Norris, and on August 11, the day of his funeral, the same protocol was adopted.^[3][6]

Preceded by John Havelock Parker

Commissioner of the Northwest Territories 1989-1994

Succeeded by Helen Maksagak

References

1. ^ Canadian Provinces A-N, Rulers.org
2. ^ New Commissioner of the North West Territories
3. ^ ^{a b c d} Former N.W.T. commissioner Norris dies, CBC News 6 August 2008
4. ^ The Commissioner from the delta - AMICUS: Canadian National Catalogue. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
5. ^ Premier Floyd K. Roland offers his Condolences on the Death of Daniel L. Norris - Government of the Northwest Territories. Retrieved October 28, 2010.
6. ^ Flag half-masting - Government of the Northwest Territories. Retrieved October 28, 2010.

Persondata
Name	Norris, Daniel
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1935
Place of birth
Date of death	August 5, 2008
Place of death