WHATI/LAC LA MARTRE
The Tlicho people made their voices heard to their leaders earlier this month.

Grand Chief Eddie Erasmus addresses the Tlicho Annual Gathering held in Whati from July 8 to 11. - photo courtesy of Tessa Macintosh/Tlicho Government

Hundreds gathered in Whati from July 8 to 10 for the 10th Tlicho Annual Gathering.

Grand Chief Eddie Erasmus said it was not a time for the Tlicho Government to make decisions.

"Our constitution requires us to listen to the people and hear their concerns," he explained. "From there, the Tlicho Government will make decisions based on hearing those issues and concerns."

The annual gatherings required by the constitution have been held since the Tlicho Government came into existence in 2005.

As part of the annual gathering, the sixth session of the third Tlicho Assembly was held in Whati.

About 420 people registered for the event from the host community and the other Tlicho communities of Behchoko, Gameti and Wekweeti, along with Yellowknife, to discuss the business of the Tlicho Government and to enjoy cultural events.

"The purpose of the annual gathering is to bring people together to share in the cultural, social and political activities of the Tlicho, and to hold an open forum for people to ask questions and make recommendations," said Erasmus.

The grand chief said a number of important issues were discussed at the gathering.

"Developments are putting pressure on our lands and waters," he said. "People want jobs, too. We have to balance our stewardship of the land with a modern resource economy. At this annual gathering, we talked about the programs of the Tlicho Government, the issues and opportunities facing our businesses."

He added there were a lot of concerns about jurisdictions of the territorial government, such as fighting forest fires, noting the Tlicho Government doesn't have a budget for forest fire fighting.

Erasmus also said there was discussion about how businesses and institutions are selected to be developed under the Tlicho Government.

Some people even suggested having an elected board of directors for the Tlicho Investment Corporation.

"We can't have another elected institution within Tlicho region, because the constitution just doesn't allow us to do that," said the grand chief.

Erasmus said that, in talking with people, he got the sense that the majority are quite happy with the progress the Tlicho Government has made over nine years.

"There's never a time where people will be satisfied 100 per cent," he said. "That will never happen. It's always that way."

Sonny Zoe, a member of the Tlicho Assembly from Whati, said the annual gathering is a special event.

"It was good that we had a chance to discuss some stuff," he said, noting the people were assured that the issues will be dealt with throughout the year.

Zoe said this year's annual gathering in Whati went well.

"The event turned out really good," he said. "We didn't have any problems not that I know of."

Zoe said the cultural aspects of the annual gathering – including traditional games and drum dances – were successes.

"Everybody had a really enjoyable time," he said.

One of the main cultural aspects of the gathering involved many people arriving from Behchoko, Gameti and Wekweeti by canoe in a river trip called Trails of our Ancestors to retrace the past and see the land through the eyes of elders.

"The Trails of our Ancestors is really important to us," said Erasmus, explaining that, by travelling by canoe, the youth honour their ancestors and experience the traditional spirit that was carried on with them for generations. "It has become an important part of who we are, and we pass on our stories to each other as well as paddle to meet the people at the annual gathering."

Erasmus himself made a 12-hour trip from Behchoko to Whati by boat and motor, noting, "My schedule didn't allow me to be in a canoe paddling for five days."