‘We are Strong Like Two People. We are Tłı̨chǫ.’

By 2075, the Tłı̨chǫ Nation will be a strong, self-sustaining, and united people, deeply rooted in its language, culture, and traditions. All this, while thriving in a modern world.

That’s the plan — part of a 50-year plan — confirmed in Behchokǫ̀ last week, when the 13 members of the 6th Tłı̨chǫ Assembly had a workshop to discuss the priorities for the Tłı̨chǫ Government, elected earlier this year.

Over the last four months, stated a news release, the Department of Planning and Partnerships collected ideas from Tłı̨chǫ citizens about what is most important for their government to work on for the next four years.

These ideas were taken into consideration by the Tłı̨chǫ Assembly last summer, as well as input from the government departments, the four Community Governments, the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency, and the Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation.

The release stated: After careful consideration, the 6th Tłı̨chǫ Assembly is pleased to share its four-year priorities:

1. Economic Self-Sufficiency: Includes advancing the Arctic Economic Security Corridor.
2. Infrastructure: Includes housing and implementing the Tłı̨chǫ Regional Infrastructure Plan.
3. Healing & Wellness: Address alcohol and illegal drugs through on-the-land healing, advancing development of a treatment centre, creating a drug task-force, and supporting staff to be healthy and strong.
4. Capacity Building: Increase Tłı̨chǫ yatıì education, training and development for citizens and Tłı̨chǫ Government staff working with external agencies, creating mentorship and internship opportunities. Also strengthen knowledge of Tłı̨chǫ self-governance, and create a Youth Council.

Next, the Tłı̨chǫ Government will develop a plan showing how these four priorities can be advanced over the next four years. The plan will be published next spring Spring and presented at the summer’s Tłı̨chǫ Annual Gathering.

Tłı̨chǫ chiefs visited Australia in October 2024 for strategic meetings related to mining partnerships and to learn from Australian Indigenous groups involved in mining. The purpose of the trip, which included Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty (man in the middle in photo) was to seek solutions for economic change to compensate for diamond mine closures in the NWT. (Photo: Tłı̨chǫ Government)

Meanwhile, the 50-Year Vision was established after engagements with Tłı̨chǫ citizens this year.

Tłı̨chǫ Nation 50-Year Vision Statement:

By 2075, the Tłı̨chǫ Nation will be a strong, self-sustaining, and united people, deeply rooted in our language, culture, and traditions, while thriving in a modern world.

We envision a future where:

• Tłı̨chǫ yatıì is strong. It’s spoken fluently by all generations, taught in schools, homes, and community programs, and embedded in every aspect of daily life.
• Our youth are empowered, by being supported by elders, educated in both Tłı̨chǫ and Western knowledge systems, and equipped to lead with pride, compassion, and skill.
• Our communities are healthy and safe, free from addiction, homelessness, and violence, with accessible treatment centres, wellness programs, and strong support systems.
• We are economically self-sufficient and locally driven, with Tłı̨chǫ-owned businesses, sustainable tourism, traditional economies, and infrastructure — all generating wealth and opportunity for all citizens.
• Our governance is Tłı̨chǫ-led, inclusive and accountable. This also means the Tłı̨chǫ Government is inclusive of all Tłı̨chǫ citizens, with transparent decision-making and meaningful engagement.
• Our land is protected and respected, with clean water, thriving wildlife, and active stewardship. There are on-the-land programs where Tłı̨chǫ knowledge is strong, and we are using our ancestral trails.
• Our infrastructure reflects Tłı̨chǫ nàowo — creating a legacy of modern schools, hospitals, housing, and recreation centres built and maintained by our people, for our people.
• Our spirit is strong, with regular gatherings, ceremonies, and cultural celebrations, to honour our past and inspire our future.

  

  Janik’oh Camsell and sisters Denae and Cheyenne Lafferty hold a flag on Sunday afternoon in Behchokǫ̀ signed by many of the roughly 160 participants in the 2025 Trails of Our Ancestors journey through Tłı̨chǫ territory. (James O’Connor/CKLB)

  
  

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