Through the support of the Tłı̨chǫ̀ Government, Canadian Government and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), the Department of Culture and Lands Protection (DCLP) was able to plan for a festival to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the signing of Treaty 11.

In this festival our main focus was to celebrate Tłı̨chǫ culture and way of life through the opportunity to connect people of Mǫwhì Gogha Dè Nı̨ı̨tłèè. DCLP invited regional community members to travel to Behchokǫ̀ to take part in the Festival that was scheduled for August 20-22, 2021 after the Annual Gathering held in Behchokǫ̀.This was to be the first Festival the Tłı̨chǫ region had ever hosted of it’s kind and the beginning of many more.

The Festival was designed to include everyone from toddlers to elders. It was a festival that would bring all Tłı̨chǫ people together to embrace our way of life through the many activities that were planned, and to share special 100-year commemorative projects.

Due to unforeseen Covid-19 related circumstances, the Festival had to be postponed to a later date when it will be safer for us all to gather again. It was a hard decision the Tłı̨chǫ leadership had to make, but it was the safest for all community members.

The festival itself hired 2 workers, and had the help of 3 summer students as needed. We had a set up crew of 14 people. 8 for setting up the tents and tipis. 1 for the preparation of the workshops. 2 for the tipi poles. 2 for supplying fish. 1 for supplying ducks. If we didn’t postpone the event we would have employed 24 workshop instructors, 38 cultural instructors, 20 musicians, 2 photographers, and all the staff from different organizations that were going to help with the Festival.

100th Year Anniversary Festival was designed and tailored to truly celebrate the Tłı̨chǫ culture and way of life. Attendees were going to learn or sharpen their skills with the different cultural activities planned over the weekend including:

• Dryfish making, Drymeat making, Fish fillet making, and duck plucking and cleaning
• Arts & Crafts Workshops: Baby Mocassins, Baby vest, Knife holder, etc.
• Story Telling
• Baby rattle making demo, Drum making demo,
• Importance of the drum
• Learning about feeding of the fire ceremony

Funded by:

• Tłı̨chǫ Government
• Canadian Government
• Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)

For more information contact:
Jocelyn Zoe
Coordinator, Department of Culture and Lands Protection
PH:  (867)-688-9894