Premier R.J. Simpson has announced that Dr. Joe Dragon has been appointed Principal Secretary, effective December 11, 2023.
Born in Fort Smith and a Smith’s Landing First Nation member, Dr. Dragon joins the Premier’s Office after a distinguished 28-year career in territorial and federal public service. In addition to several senior leadership roles with the federal government, Dr. Dragon has served as the Deputy Minister of the Departments of Environment and Natural Resources and Infrastructure.
In 2020, he founded Dragonworks Consulting, through which he provided expert advisory services in the areas of housing and wildlife management and assisted with several legislative reviews and updates, ensuring Indigenous knowledge and meaningful engagement were incorporated. Dr. Dragon’s education and experience underlines his profound connection and commitment to Canada’s North and to building strong and sustainable communities.
The Premier issued his thanks to outgoing Principal Secretary Shaleen Woodward for her many years of service to the people of the Northwest Territories, both in that role and her work as a Deputy Minister and senior leader within the Government of the Northwest Territories.
