The Ekwǫ̀ Nàxoèhdee K’è 2020 program started late this year due to COVID-19. We began on July 28 and wrapped up on Sept 28. Over the two-month period, 40 Tłı̨chǫ participants were hired to fill various positions at two caribou monitoring camps: Kokètì (Contwoyto Lake) and Deèzàatì (Point Lake). Our Tłı̨chǫ Citizens consisted of Elders, cooks, bear monitors, camp helpers, researchers, research assistants, boat drivers and youth. This year we had 5 monitoring teams; each monitoring team completed a 3-week rotation. This is an increase from last year which only had 3 teams. For the new camp at Deèzàatì, we built a meeting cabin/kitchen and brought in two boats. At the Kokètì camp, the cabin/kitchen structure was improved upon as well.  Since we had two camps running at the same time this year, (one camp in the Bathurst Range area and the other going into the Bluenose East Range area) the coordinating staff were kept very busy.

This summer we were excited to host a couple of Tłı̨chǫ Government leadership team members (Grand Chief Mackenzie and Chief Football) who took time from their busy schedule to visit the Kokètı̀ (Contwoyto Lake) camp in late August.

We are very happy that everyone worked safe over the two months and were able to return home without incident. Thank you everyone for working as a team to conduct important research on the caribou.

Camp participants: Ahri Ekendia, Albert Nitsiza, Albina Nitsiza, Archie Isermansky, Archie Zoe-Beaulieu, Avery Huskey, Camilia Zoe-Chocolate, Charlie Eyakfwo, Chief Charlie Football, Cody S Mantla, Darrell Chocolate, Doreen Liske, Eddie Erasmus, Ernie Wedawin, Eva Mantla, Grand Chief George Mackenzie, James Lafferty, Janelle Nitsiza, Jasmine Blackduck, Jimmy P Mantla, JJ Simpson, Joe Lazare Zoe, Johnny Boline, Joseph Judas, Joseph Whane, Keanu Lafferty, Leon Ekendia, Louis Zoe, Louisa Nitsiza, Michael Huskey, Michel Louis Rabesca, Nora Ekendia, Peter Huskey, Peter Nitsiza, Robert Nitsiza, Roy Judas, Russell Drybones, Therese Zoe, and Victor Huskey.

In addition to the camp participants, TG staff and consultants who worked on planning, coordinating and assisting with this special project include Tyanna Steinwand, Terrell Knapton-Pain, Lydiah Rabesca, Petter Jacobsen, Michael Birlea, Stephanie Behrens, John Nishi, Karin Clark (GNWT ENR), Aimee Guile (WRRB) and Pat Kane. We would also like to thank the staff of Hotıì Ts’eeda, Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation, Air Tindi, Weaver and Devore, Overlander Sports, Corothers Home Hardware Building Centre, Bassett Petroleum and Nahanni Construction-Lupin Mine for their valuable assistance to keep the camps in operation over the 2 months.  

Special mention to Arc’teryx who sponsored the teams with jackets and a hat.   

The 2020 results report will be available in Spring 2021.

If you have questions or feedback, please direct them to:
Tyanna Steinwand
Manager, Research Operations
Tłı̨chǫ Government 
(867) 392-6381 ext. 1357