Latest news with #Tłı̨chǫGovernment
CBC
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBC
Tłı̨chǫ Government in N.W.T. marks 20 years since landmark self-government agreement came into effect
The Tłı̨chǫ Annual Gathering gets underway this week in Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., and this year's event will celebrate a significant milestone. Twenty years ago this month the Tłı̨chǫ Government was formally established, the result of a landmark deal that was the first in the Northwest Territories to combine a comprehensive land claim and self-government agreement into a single negotiated settlement. The Tłı̨chǫ Agreement was signed on Aug. 25, 2003, and came into effect on Aug. 4, 2005. Under its terms, the Tłı̨chǫ Government holds title to more than 39,000 square kilometres of land between Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake, including both surface and subsurface rights. It also has law-making authority over areas including education, housing, and child and family services. Two decades later, John B. Zoe, who was chief negotiator at the time, says the anniversary is both a moment to look back, and to look ahead. "We've been free for the last 20 [years], and you're not going to solve everything in 20 years. Because a lot of it is very deeply ingrained and it's going to take generations," said Zoe. "Meeting those challenges and making sure that the remedy is something that you contributed to, that's a big step. I think that we have to continue that, and the spiritual health of the communities and individuals and leadership." The agreement was a turning point in the history of the Tłı̨chǫ Nation, following decades of negotiations and community consultations. It is implemented alongside the Tłı̨chǫ Constitution, which sets out the structure and powers of the Tłı̨chǫ Government, and ensures that its laws and decisions reflect the values of the Tłı̨chǫ people. Milestones since 2005 Since its establishment, the Tłı̨chǫ Government has undertaken significant initiatives in governance, land management, and cultural preservation. In 2007, the United Nations recognized this by presenting the Indigenous government with a public service award. In 2012, the Tłı̨chǫ Government opened its first dedicated government building in Behchokǫ̀, providing a central place for administration and public engagement. The following year, the government began approving resource development projects on Tłı̨chǫ lands while maintaining protections for culturally and ecologically significant areas. More recently, the Tłı̨chǫ Government has expanded an environmental initiative aimed at restoring ecosystems and supporting the recovery of boreal caribou habitat. The multi-year tree-planting program has become a visible symbol of the government's long-term approach to stewardship. Zoe says the success of the agreement saw the reintroduction of traditional ways as well. That includes language revitalization and land-based programs. "Western concepts don't really make sense when you're there. And you can see your way of life because of the trails," he said. Zoe says moving forward he'd like to see more young people return to the community after receiving higher education. "The work ethic, the passing down of the knowledge of the land and the animals and the stories and the kinship, the relationships — all these things are still there," said Zoe. "We just need to solidify those things. But at the same time, it's that knowledge and strength that youth acquire from the communities. It gives them a springboard into higher education that they're going there with." Balancing modern governance and tradition The Tłı̨chǫ Government's powers are exercised through an elected Tłı̨chǫ Assembly, with representatives from each of the four Tłı̨chǫ communities: Behchokǫ̀, Gamètì, Wekweètì, and Whatì. The agreement also secured Tłı̨chǫ participation in resource management boards and environmental review processes across the broader Wekʼèezhìi management area, giving the nation a voice in decisions affecting its traditional territory. Since 2005, the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement has been cited as a model for other Indigenous governments in Canada seeking to combine land ownership and self-government in a single agreement. The agreement's implementation is monitored through an Implementation committee made up of representatives from the Tłı̨chǫ Government, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the Government of Canada. Annual reports detail progress on obligations and priorities. "The learning never stops. And we don't have all the answers here, but we have a major tool," said Zoe. "In the end, it's about having a say about yourself and a say about development that's going to have an impact on you." The annual gathering this week, along with the first session of the 6th Tłı̨chǫ Assembly, begins on Monday and continues until Thursday, with events happening at the Behchokǫ̀ Culture Centre, starting each day at 10 a.m.
CBC
10-06-2025
- 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.
CBC
29-01-2025
- CBC
Tłı̨chǫ Government still developing N.W.T.'s Whatı̀ Falls for tourists, no timeline on opening
The Tłı̨chǫ Government in the N.W.T. is moving ahead with a plan to develop the Whatı̀ Falls for tourists but doesn't yet have a timeline on when the public can visit. The falls, approximately 20 kilometres from the community of Whatı̀, N.W.T., are sacred for Tłı̨chǫ people and the Indigenous government is working to balance the benefits of more visitors with preserving the pristine land and water. Nive Sridharan is a project coordinator with the Tłı̨chǫ Government's department of culture and lands protection and is working on the project at the falls. "It's a really beautiful area and so, wanting to make sure that it can be enjoyed by everyone — but also protect and preserve it as much as we can," she said. Sridharan said that with the all-season road that opened in 2021, there are new opportunities for local employment, training, economic development and educating the public on Tłı̨chǫ culture. And at each stage of development they're working closely to consult with the community, she said. Step one, Sridharan said, is setting up infrastructure to ensure safe access to the falls, like fencing and trails. She said the plan is also to build signs to inform visitors of the cultural significance of the site. Mike Nitsiza is an elder in Whatı̀. He says the falls, called Nailii in Tłı̨chǫ, is somewhere residents go to cleanse themselves and to pray. "I go there as often as I can," he said. Nitsiza said he wants to share the sacred site and would even consider working there himself, as a guide. "All my experience, knowledge — traditional and culture and spirituality — I want to pass it on," he said. He says it's essential that the falls be kept pristine. "As soon as it's been disrespected to the people, they'll probably close the area." Sridharan said the area is currently under construction and closed to everyone. She said there's no timeline at this point for when it will open. She said they're focused first on developing the day-use area, then they'll see about moving ahead with developing a campground.
