J. Michael Miltenberger is one of the longest-serving Members of the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories, having been first elected to the Assembly in October of 1995.  Twelve years later, on October 1, 2007, Mr. Miltenberger was re-elected to his fourth consecutive term as the Member for Thebacha representing the community of Fort Smith. During those years, Mr. Miltenberger was appointed to Cabinet in March of 1999, re-appointed in October of 2001, and appointed again in December 2003.  Mr. Miltenberger served on Cabinet holding various portfolios, including: Education, Culture and Employment, Health and Social Services, and Environment and Natural Resources.  Mr. Miltenberger also served as the Minister responsible for the Workers Compensation Board and the Minister responsible for Seniors, the Disabled, and the Homeless. 

Prior to Mr. Miltenberger’s appointment to Cabinet, he served as the Chair of Caucus and Western Caucus, Chair of the Standing Committee on Social Programs, and as a Member of the Standing Committees on Government Operations and Rules, Procedures and Privileges.

Mr. Miltenberger was born in Ottawa on March 17, 1951, and was raised in the NWT since 1962.  He earned a B.A. (Sociology) from the University of Lethbridge and later received his certification as a Journeyman Carpenter through Arctic College in Fort Smith. Mr. Miltenberger served six years as Regional Superintendent of Health and Social Services in Fort Smith.  Prior to that, he was the Manager of Childcare Programs.

Mr. Miltenberger served on Fort Smith’s Town Council from 1983 to 1989, including a two-and-a-half year term as Mayor.  He has also been Speaker of the South Slave Regional Council, a member of the Board of Directors of the Northwest Territories Association of Municipalities, a member of the Fort Smith Health Centre Board of Management, and Chairman of the Western Arctic Leadership Program.

Mr. Miltenberger is active in community service as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Pelican Rapids Golf and Country Club, a member of the Senior Society, and the Fort Smith Métis Local #50.

Mr. Miltenberger and his wife Jeri, have one daughter Michaela (Craig), and two grandchildren Larrisa and Jason.