4 days ago
Future generations top of mind as Tłı̨chǫ assembly's youngest member starts term
Trent Rabesca, a 26-year-old from Wekweètì, N.W.T., says one of his goals as the youngest person appointed to the current Tłı̨chǫ assembly is to consider future generations in decision-making.
Rabesca was sworn in to his role on Monday alongside Nathaniel Tom, another 26-year-old man from Wekweètì, as representatives of their community. The assembly is the law-making body of the Tłı̨chǫ government, and is meeting in Behchokǫ̀ this week as part of the Tłı̨chǫ annual gathering.
Rabesca said serving as the youngest member means a lot to him — and it's a big responsibility. During his four-year term he hopes to get more young people involved in governance, and to emphasize culture and tradition over money.
"I understand money is important," he said before Tuesday's meeting began. But, he pointed out, his ancestors lived a way of life that didn't rely on it.
The assembly consists of 13 people: the chief and two representatives from each Tłı̨chǫ community, as well as the region's grand chief.
Rabesca is "very likely" the youngest member in the assembly's 20-year history, a spokesperson for the Tłı̨chǫ government said in an email, but they couldn't confirm it citing privacy reasons. They said another member appointed in 2013 might have been around the same age.
They also said Rabesca, Tom and Skye Ekendia — who, in her mid 30s and in her second term is also being acknowledged as a young person on the assembly — were selected at the community level and then appointed to their roles.
Jackson Lafferty, who is the current grand chief, said the young members have a "heavy agenda" in front of them.
"They'll be pressured to make decisions. But we're going to guide them," he said.
"We need to mentor these young individuals, work with them. It's really great to see more young people engaged. Even the females, educated, on the council as well. Even the chiefs. But it has to take the whole community to deal with the matters."
Mable Bohnet, a Behchokǫ̀ resident, said it's good to have young people in leadership roles because they know what's going on with the youth in their communities.
"They're probably thinking or looking into the future to make changes for the young generations," she said. "They're starting young and hopefully, you know, they'll stay longer and you know, like accomplish what their dream is right now."
