The Chief's Executive Council is made up of a Grand Chief elected by Tłı̨chǫ citizens, and a Chief from each of the four Tłı̨chǫ Community Governments.
Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty
GRAND CHIEF JACKSON LAFFERTY was elected Grand Chief of the Tłı̨chǫ Nation in November 2021. Prior to being elected as Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief, he served in the Legislature of the Government of the Northwest for five consecutive terms, a period of over 16 years. As MLA for the riding of Mǫwhì, he served as the Deputy Premier, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), Justice, Public Works and Services, Official Languages and Worker’s Safety and Compensation Commission.
During his time with the NWT Government and throughout his career, Grand Chief Lafferty served on numerous boards and agencies, where he was a fierce advocate for education, youth, languages, and culture. He was often seen speaking his Tłı̨chǫ language at the legislature during question period.
In the early 2000s, Mr. Lafferty worked in the mining industry with Rio Tinto at the Diavik Diamond Mine. During this time, he contributed to the implementation of DDMI’s Participation Agreement with northern indigenous groups and played a key role as liaison for communities and indigenous mining employees. Grand Chief Lafferty remains committed to working with the mining industry from closure to remediation, work that will be conducted through collaborative consultation.
Chief Alfonz Nitsiza
CHIEF ALFONZ NITSIZA is a member of the Tłı̨chǫ First Nation and has been the Chief of his home community of Whatì since 2009. Chief Nitsiza has a long history of participation in leadership positions within his community, the Tłı̨chǫ Region, and the Northwest Territories. His experience includes serving as the housing coordinator in Whatì, and board member on the Land and Water Board, the regulatory agency responsible for regulating developments in the NWT including the Northwest Territories’ diamond mines.
Chief Nitsiza is the former Chair of the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency, an innovative multi-jurisdictional agency responsible for the delivery of health, education, social, and health services within the Tłı̨chǫ region. An example of outstanding service delivery, the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency has earned international recognition, and served as a model of effectiveness in other jurisdictions. Chief Nitsiza is passionate about the self-determination and economic opportunity for Tłı̨chǫ people, balanced with the protection of the lands, water, and wildlife of the Tłı̨chǫ region.
Chief Clifford Daniels
CHIEF CLIFFORD DANIELS has served on the Community Government of Behchokǫ̀, the Chiefs Executive Council, and the Tłıchǫ Assembly since 2009. Prior to his current role as Chief, Mr. Daniels was a Councillor and sub-Chief with the Dogrib Rae Band from 1999-2004, and the Chief from 2004-2005. He has also served as a Director of Rae Band Construction, the Rae-Edzo School Society, The Jimmy Erasmus Senior’s Home, Tłıchǫ Explosives, the Rae-Edzo Housing Association as well as the chairperson of the Behchokǫ̀ Development Corporation. Chief Daniels is also active in the Canadian Rangers.
Clifford was born in Yellowknife and spent a great deal of time on traplines around the Horne Plateau and River and especially at Hislop Lake. He was educated in Behchokǫ̀, Yellowknife, and in Edmonton at the Northern Institute of Technology (NAIT) where he received his Journeyman Certification/ Interprovincial Red Seal in plumbing in 1992. He has worked at many jobs from labourer, gardener, wood cutter, short order cook to a housing maintainer and plumber. Chief Daniels vision for the Tłı̨chǫ people and organizations is a strong and prosperous self-governing future.
Chief Adeline Football
CHIEF ADELINE FOOTBALL began working with the Tłı̨chǫ Government as Community Director in November 2005. Served as a Community Council member from 2009 to 2012. Chief Football was instrumental in developing Culture Camp, over community lookout area, fencing in the local waste site, and a variety of other community recreation and beautification projects such as: the community center gazebo public cookout area, 9-hole golf course, beach shading areas and playground, and other construction projects.
Chief Football has served as Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency Board Member, Wekweeti Justice Committee, Assistant Recreation Coordinator, Wekweeti Development Corporation Manager, Secretary Treasurer Alexis Arrowmaker School and Career Development Coordinator. Chief Football is an advocate for projects that promote Our Way of Life, and Tłı̨chǫ language, creating naturally beautiful environments, and crime prevention programs.
Chief Doreen Arrowmaker
CHIEF DOREEN ARROWMAKER is a graduate of the Master of Global Management program at Royal Roads University, and the first female Chief in the community of Gamètì. Chief Arrowmaker brings a wide range of experience to her position including Career Development Coordinator, Community Justice, and researching trends and advocating on behalf of clients while providing support and guidance as an Economic Development Officer. As the General Manager of Gamèti Development Corporation she established working relationship with all vendors and oversaw the procurement process and fuel management.
Chief Arrowmaker later moved to the Assessment Office and in addition to implementing new technology programs, prepared, and facilitated job readiness skills programs for trainees. In 2009 Chief Arrowmaker joined the Board of Directors of the Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation, and later took on the role of Liaison Officer Liaison with De Beers Canada, the Gamèti Housing Authority, working with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that all housing was maintained within established codes and standards.
