Daniel L. Norris (August 30, 1935 – August 5, 2008) was the

commissioner of the Northwest Territories The commissioner of the Northwest Territories (french: Commissaire des Territoires du Nord-Ouest) is the Government of Canada's representative in the Northwest Territories. Similar in certain functions to a lieutenant governor, the commissioner s ...

from October 2, 1989, until September 30, 1994. Norris was born in 1935 near

Inuvik Inuvik (''place of man'') is the only town in the Inuvik Region, and the third largest community in Canada's Northwest Territories. Located in what is sometimes called the Beaufort Delta Region, it serves as its administrative and service cen ...

and was raised in Aklavik. Norris died on August 5, 2008, from heart failure, a complication of his long-time struggle with diabetes.Former N.W.T. commissioner Norris dies
'' CBC News'' 6 August 2008

Biography

Norris was born on August 30, 1935 near

in the Mackenzie Delta. Raised in Aklavik, Norris reportedly aspired to become a trapper like his father. 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. He began in the public sector in what was then the Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, and rose within that department to become its regional superintendent of personnel.Premier Floyd K. Roland offers his Condolences on the Death of Daniel L. Norris
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Government of the Northwest Territories The Politics of Northwest Territories involves not only the governance of the Northwest Territories but also the social, economic and political issues specific to the territory. This includes matters relating to local governance and governance by ...

. Retrieved October 28, 2010. On October 2, 1989, Norris was appointed as the territory's 11th

commissioner A commissioner (commonly abbreviated as Comm'r) is, in principle, a member of a commission or an individual who has been given a commission (official charge or authority to do something). In practice, the title of commissioner has evolved to in ...

, making him the first

Aboriginal Aborigine, aborigine or aboriginal may refer to: *Aborigines (mythology), in Roman mythology * Indigenous peoples, general term for ethnic groups who are the earliest known inhabitants of an area *One of several groups of indigenous peoples, see ...

born in the north of Canada to be appointed to that role. 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.

Death

On August 5, 2008, Daniel Norris died in an Edmonton, Alberta 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.Flag half-masting
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. Retrieved October 28, 2010.

Arms

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Norris, Daniel 1935 births 2008 deaths Commissioners of the Northwest Territories People from Inuvik Deaths from diabetes in Canada People from Aklavik