Latest news with #Behchokǫ̀
CBC
3 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
'Another historical event,' Tłı̨chǫ grand chief says of new female chief in Behchokǫ
Tłı̨chǫ leaders say residents have opted for change after Bertha Rabesca-Zoe was voted to replace longtime chief Clifford Daniels to lead Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., after Monday's election. Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty and Chief-elect Rabesca-Zoe say it's the first time a woman will lead the community. "I think being the first female chief has a lot of significance for many people, especially our young ladies," Rabesca-Zoe said. "With education and determination and commitment, you can achieve whatever goals you set for yourself." Rabesca-Zoe will become the third female chief out of four Tłı̨chǫ communities, joining Wekweètı̀ Chief Adeline Football and Gamètı̀ Chief Doreen Arrowmaker. Rabesca-Zoe described Behchokǫ̀ as a predominantly Catholic community and said she thinks some still carry the belief that women shouldn't lead but Monday's election shows a push for new direction. "I think people just generally were ready for change," she said. Lafferty also pointed to the fact that many of the new councillors are young, something that he said also signifies the public's want for fresh ideas for the region. Lafferty recognized outgoing Behchokǫ̀ chief Clifford Daniels, who served for 16 years, and outgoing Whatı̀ chief Alfonz Nitsiza. He said he's looking forward to working with all of the new and returning leaders. "It's another historical event," he said. "Things are changing with us." For Rabesca-Zoe, the first order of business will be to meet with council to set priorities. She said she's keen to get to work on tackling the housing and drug crises in her community. She says she's considering a 24-hour blockade to stop the flow of drugs into Behchokǫ̀ and will look forward to hearing other ideas on how best to serve the community.
CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
New and returning chiefs elected in N.W.T. Tłı̨chǫ communities
The four Tłı̨chǫ communities in the N.W.T. held their elections Monday night, voting in new and returning faces to lead their communities for a four-year term. In Behchokǫ̀, Bertha Rabesca-Zoe, a Tłı̨chǫ lawyer, defeated incumbent Clifford Daniels with 600 votes to Daniels'265. The community had a voter turnout of 70.5 per cent with 985 residents casting their ballots. In Whatı̀, Charlie Nitsiza, who formerly served as chief between 2005 and 2009, defeated incumbent Alfonz Nitsiza with 105 to 86 votes. Adeline Football was acclaimed as chief in Wekweètı̀ for a second term. Doreen Arrowmaker appears to have been re-elected as Gamètı̀'s chief, though CBC North has not seen official results.
CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Public hearing starts for Diavik's water licence, leading into mine's upcoming closure
A three-day public hearing is set to begin Tuesday morning in Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., for a water licence that will see the Diavik mine through the remainder of its active operation and into its upcoming closure. Diavik is expected to stop producing diamonds next year, but its current water licence expires before that. It is applying for another one in order to finish production and begin its closure and post-closure monitoring. The term for the water licence would be 10 years. Several groups are scheduled to present at the hearing and ask questions during the sessions this week, including the Tłı̨chǫ government, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Łutsel K'e Dene First Nation and Deninu Kųę́ First Nation. Diavik, the territorial and federal environmental departments, and the Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board are also participating. In presentations submitted to the Wek'èezhìi Land and Water Board in advance, the groups laid out their chief areas of interest. For many, that includes bringing more traditional knowledge into Diavik's closure plan and adding criteria for cultural uses of the land and water. The Tłı̨chǫ government has also said its main focus will be protecting Lac de Gras. For its part, Diavik has said it is one of the first N.W.T. mines that will have a traditional knowledge monitoring program that it's developing with Indigenous partners. In its submissions, Diavik pointed to overlap between the water licence renewal and its final closure and reclamation plan — two separate documents. It suggested many of the topics presenters have identified would be better addressed in other ways, like through the closure plan, instead of through the water licence renewal. The hearing is set to run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at the cultural centre in Behchokǫ̀.
