February 27 and 28, 2018, Behchokǫ̀ - Tłı̨chǫ Government staff (Jessica Hum, Tyanna Steinwand, and Michael Birlea) along with their technical support consultants, Firelight Group and Fielding Environmental met with the Kwetiiɂaà Elders Committee (KEC) represented by Charlie Apples (Behchokǫ̀), Louis Zoe(Gamètì), Jimmy B Rabesca(Whati), Joe Champlain(Whatì), Philip Huskey(Behchokǫ̀), Joe Rosie Mantla(Gamètì), and environmental monitoring program Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR) graduates, Lisa Marie Zoe (Whatì) and Ryan Mackenzie (Behchokǫ̀)to discuss selection of remedial options at the former Rayrock mine site. 

Further sampling of the area was requested last year and followed up with this past fall. Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) NWT Region's Contaminants and Remediation Division (CARD) had done extensive work in preparing reports and making recommendations to the KEC. INAC had also brought their consultants, Arcadis, AECOM, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and a rep from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. During the two days the KEC was able to select remedial options for many mine components. Tłı̨chǫ Government staff would like to thank INAC-CARD for their hard work and their dedication to making sure Rayrock is remediated to the Tłı̨chǫ Government’s satisfaction. 

It is the hope of the Tłı̨chǫ Government that one day our people can feel and be confident and safe in using the area for traditional use as they have before the mine was in operations.

For more information please contact:   
 
Tyanna Steinwand
Lands Regulator
Department of Lands Protection 
Department of Culture and Lands Protection
Tłı̨chǫ Ndek'àowo / Tłı̨chǫ Government
Box 412, Behchokǫ̀, NT  X0E 0Y0
Phone:  867-392-6381 Ext 1357