First Tłı̨chǫ Government Awards

The Tłįchǫ Government held the first Awards Ceremony on Thursday, January 14th at the Behchoko Culture Centre to celebrate 28 deserving recipients.

Out of the 28 recipients, nine were nominated for their accomplishments as Individuals and Tłı̨chǫ Way of Life.

Chief Executive Council also recognized nineteen individuals from 1992 to 2005 who were on the negotiating team, chiefs and elders for their dedication to the formation of the Tłįchǫ Land Claims and Self-government Agreement.

Each recipient received a certificate and Tłįchǫ Government award metal. 

The event was attended by Tłįchǫ citizens, family, friends, assembly members and the Chief Executive Council.  Master of Ceremonies, Chief Alfonz Nitsiza of Whatì introduced each recipient for their accomplishments.  Stating “we celebrate our honoured guests.  We recognize and thank each and every one of our award recipients for the commitment to the Tłįchǫ way of life.”

Grand chief Eddie Erasmus said “each year we will celebrate this award, together, as a nation, recognizing the achievements and contributions of individuals, businesses and organizations promoting our way of life.”

2016 nominations are open, and many deserving individuals, businesses and organizations, can be nominated. Nomination forms are available at each presence office and on the Tlicho.ca website.  Please submit your nomination form by March 31, 2016.

The First recipients of the Tłı̨chǫ Government Awards are: 

  • Loreen Beaverho of Whatì - Youth Award. Catherine Kotchilea on behalf of her daughter in law Loreen Beaverho (Kotchilea) for the Youth Award Category.
  • Andrew Gon of Gametì - Lifetime Achievement Award. Charlie Gon on behalf of his late father Andrew Gon for the Lifetime Achievement Award Category.
  • Lucy Lafferty of Behchokǫ̀ - Culture, Heritage & Spirituality Award
  • Lianne Mantla of Behchokǫ̀ - Education & Health Award
  • Bertha Rabesca-Zoe of Behchokǫ̀ - Public Service, Politics, Law, & Justice Award
  • Philip Rabesca of Behchokǫ̀ - Lifetime Achievement Award. Vivian Rabesca on behalf of her late father Philip Rabesca for the Lifetime Achievement Award Category.
  • Johnny Simpson of Wekweètì - Lifetime Achievement Award. Nora Simpson on behalf of her late father Johnny Simpson of Wekweètì for the Lifetime Achievement Award Category.
  • Edward Weyallon of Behchokǫ̀ - Lifetime Achievement Award. Melanie Weyallon on behalf of her late husband Edward Weyallon of Behchokǫ̀ for the Lifetime Achievement Award Category.
  • Edward Zoe of Behchokǫ̀ - Public Service, Politics, Law, & Justice Award. Marcel Zoe on behalf of his Father Edward Zoe of Behchokǫ̀ for the Public Service, Politics, Law, & Justice Award Category.

​In special recognition of the 10th anniversary of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement, we recognize the following individuals list below from 1992 to 2005 who were on the negotiating team, chiefs and elders for their dedication to the formation of the Tłįchǫ Land Claims and Self-government Agreement.

  • Ted Blondin - Negotiating Team Behchokǫ̀ (1992-2005)
  • Eddie Erasmus  - Negotiating Team Behchokǫ̀ (1992-2005)
  • James Wah-Shee  - Negotiating Team Behchokǫ̀ (1992-2005)
  • Rick Salter  - Negotiating Team (1992-2005)
  • John B. Zoe - Negotiating Team Behchokǫ̀ (1992-2005)
  • Eddie Paul Rabesca - Behchokǫ̀ Chief (1992-2005). Rosa Rabesca accepts the award on behalf of her late husband Eddie Paul Rabesca - Chief of Behchokǫ̀
  • Joe Rabesca - Behchokǫ̀ Chief (1992-2005)
  • Clifford Daniels - Behchokǫ̀  Chief (1992-2005)
  • Joe Migwi - Behchokǫ̀  Elder (1992-2005). Dora Migwi accepts the award on behalf of her late husband Joe Migwi - Elder of Behchokǫ̀
  • Henry Gon - Gamètì Chief (1992-2005)
  • Archie Wetrade - Gamètì Chief (1992-2005)
  • Harry Simpson - Gamètì Elder (1992-2005).Leon Rabesca receiving the award for his late father Harry Simpson - Elder of Gamètì- recognizing the negotiating team, chiefs and elders from 1992 to 2005 for their dedication to the formation of the Tłįchǫ Land Claims and Self-government Agreement.
  • Joseph Judas - Wekweètì Chief (1992-2005)
  • Alexie Arrowmaker - Wekweètì Elder (1992-2005).Carol Arrowmaker on behalf of her late father Alexie Arrowmaker - Elder of Wekweètì- recognizing the negotiating team, chiefs and elders from 1992 to 2005 for their dedication to the formation of the Tłįchǫ Land Claims and Self-government Agreement.
  • Charlie Jeremick’ca - Whatì Chief (1992-2005)
  • Charlie Nitsiza - Whatì Chief (1992-2005)
  • Isadore Zoe-Fish - Whatì Chief (1992-2005)
  • Johnny Nitsiza - Whatì Elder (1992-2005), Rita Mantla receiving the award for her late father Johnny Nitsiza - Elder of Whatì- recognizing the negotiating team, chiefs and elders from 1992 to 2005 for their dedication to the formation of the Tłįchǫ Land Claims and Self-government Agreement.
  • Jimmy B. Rabesca - Whatì Elder (1992-2005)

For more information, contact: 

Henry Zoe 
Senior Community Director 
Tłı̨chǫ Ndek'àowo / Tłı̨chǫ Government 
Phone: (867) 766-4003