Tłı̨chǫ leaders have decided to continue their annual assembly virtually due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in the Sahtú.
Grand Chief George Mackenzie made the announcement Tuesday morning following a lengthy in camera meeting.
He said flights are being organized for people to continue the virtual meeting Wednesday to Friday.
He added the nomination process and election of the next grand chief is still expected to happen on Friday.
He urged Tłı̨chǫ citizens that have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccination to “protect your family” and sign up to get vaccinated.
The Tłı̨chǫ region has the lowest vaccination rate in the NWT currently at 60 per cent fully vaccinated.
Treaty 11
Behchokǫ̀’s Treaty 11 commemoration events and hand games tournament were scheduled to happen following the annual assembly.
The hand games tournament is expected to be cancelled. Grand Chief Mackenzie said Treaty 11 events would be postponed until further notice.
“Not being able to gather brings great sadness to me,” he told delegates.
He added that so far no residents have died of COVID-19, and that the decisions to go virtual and delay gatherings is to ensure that stays true.
