WHATI/LAC LA MARTRE
Whati Chief Alfonz Nitsiza remembers the day the first territorial officials arrived to talk about establishing community government in what was then known as Lac La Martre.

It was May of 1969 and Nitsiza was working as an interpreter. The tiny community didn't have a runway, so the plane carrying briefcase-wielding government representatives from Yellowknife had to land on the lake ice for their meeting with community elders.

It took place in the log schoolhouse - the only building at the time with electricity.

"That was used for gathering," Nitsiza said. "We didn't have any offices."

The community was officially designated the Hamlet of Lac La Martre on April 1,1986 and residents celebrated its 30th anniversary the weekend of April 1.

Nitsiza said the goal was to honour the people who worked to establish the community, such as Francis Zoe, the first mayor and Alex Nitsiza, the first secretary/treasurer.

Both Zoe and Alex were presented with plaques thanking them for their work and dedication.

"It's more of a recognition of the people that were involved at the time," Nitsiza said.

Whati's spring carnival also took place over the weekend in conjunction with the anniversary. Events included a community feast and drum dance, as well as popular kid's activities such as road hockey games.

"These kids, they love hockey," said recreation co-ordinator Doreen Nitsiza. While it was a lot of work, Doreen said community members volunteered to help.

"I thought I was going to be tired, but I wasn't," she said. "I had a lot of help, a lot of volunteers."

Nitsiza said Whati has a long tradition of working together, including when it comes to local government. Whati received charter community status in 1996, combining the hamlet council and band council.

"In a way, it worked for us in a smaller community because we can pool resources together," Nitsiza said.

The Tlicho Agreement then established Whati's community government and the governments of Gameti, Wekweeti, Whati and Behchoko in 2005.

That spirit of co-operation still extends to traditional activities, such as keeping the community freezer stocked.

"We've got a community freezer, always full for the whole year," Nitsiza said. "So people really live together well."

Nitsiza said even from the community's earliest days, building a school was high on the list of priorities.

"I remember my dad strongly advocated for school, not only him but elders in the Tlicho region were very, very strong in getting their people educated because they say there is a change coming," he said. "Change is coming in a big way."

The first classes were held in a wall tent in the early 1950s before a log schoolhouse was built in the 1960s, according to the Tlicho Government website.

The current school was built in 1983.

Where parents formerly provided their children with the tools needed to succeed on the land, Nitsiza said elders saw education as a new tool in a changing world.

"It's all about surviving," Nitsiza said. "That's how they raised their kids, but they see quickly that it is all changing. People moving to the community, adapting to community life, trying to be self- sufficient, this all requires a different lifestyle, a different way of survival."

He said success stories, such as those individuals who received this year's first Tlicho Government Awards, should be highlighted and shared as a way to inspire others.

While having a job is crucial, Nitsiza said keeping culture alive is equally vital.

"Employment is important and at the same time you are Tlicho, you should speak your language, your culture, understand your way of life," he said.

Nitsiza said balancing both worlds is difficult, but he knows Tlicho are up for the challenge.

"I always tell young people you have to work hard at what you do, that's where we come from," he said. "We survived, and that's through hard work."

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