SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya is resting comfortably at his Yellowknife residence after having a minor heart attack in late November.

The 51-year-old Yakeleya was medevaced to Edmonton after suffering the heart attack on Nov. 25.

In the Alberta capital, doctors at the Royal Alexandra Hospital installed a stent - a tube to keep arteries open - using non-invasive surgery.

The MLA arrived back at his Yellowknife residence on Dec. 3 and will be resting for the coming weeks while he recovers.

"The doctors have given me good instructions on how to make a full recovery," he said in a news release issued by his office. "They gave me tips on how to exercise safely and eat better.

"Being sick made me realize that we all need to take good care of ourselves as we get older, and to be careful about our health."

Yakeleya, who has represented the Sahtu since 2003, expressed appreciation for the support he has received during his illness.

"My family and I are grateful for the many kind words and actions to help us out," he said. "We have heard from so many people from all over the NWT who have told us that we are in their prayers.

"We gained a lot of strength from knowing that."

Several other MLAs have been in touch with Yakeleya's office to offer their services to assist his constituents, if needed.

"We haven't had to call on the offers to help yet," said Garth Wallbridge, the constituency assistant for Yakeleya.

Wallbridge said Yakeleya expects to return to the legislative assembly when it begins sitting in the New Year.

"By early February, he should be able to do a little bit of work," the constituency assistant said.

The public and the media are being asked to respect Yakeleya's privacy during his recovery and to contact Wallbridge with any questions or concerns.

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