Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę members are casting their ballots during the ratification process for a final self-government agreement – marking the last step toward establishing the Northwest Territories’ newest Indigenous government.
“I think it’s a new horizon, and it’s something we should take a risk on because we finally got a deal,” said member Morgan Pierrot, who voted in favor at an advance polling station in Yellowknife on Monday.
The Norman Wells Lands Corporation, which will become the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę Government (TGG) if the agreement is ratified, signed a draft Final Self-Government Agreement with the federal and territorial governments on November 19, 2024.
Under the agreement, the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę will be recognized for their authority to make decisions about education, housing, taxation, social services, cultural programs, language, and economic development.
The TGG will also develop its own laws and constitution.
“I’ve seen how it works in Délı̨nę, they can pick and choose the programs they want to operate and I think it’s a good move,” said member Donna Schear, noted she voted yes.
The Délı̨nę Got’ı̨nę Government, established in 2016, was the first community in the Sahtu region to achieve self-government.
“We would administer our own priorities, and we would be doing our own things for our own members,” said Schear. “I think we’ll be very, very strong in that way.”
The land corporation is currently a non-for-profit organization that receives less than $1.5 million annually through contribution agreements with the GNWT and Canada.
With self-government, the TGG would be eligible for a minimum of $4.6 million in federal funding each year.
The community ratification process is open until March 31. Members can vote in person on the final polling day at stations in Norman Wells, Yellowknife, and Edmonton, or submit mail-in ballots.
If at least 60 per cent of the ballots cast are in favor, the TGG will enter a one-year transition period starting April 1, with self-government taking effect on April 1, 2026.
During the transition, a one-time start-up funding will support the development of core laws, governance and administration system, communications and consultation, and staff training.
CKLB reached out to Sherry Hodgson, president of Norman Wells Land Corporation (TGG Inc.), but Hodgson was not available at the time of publication.
