Behchokǫ̀, NT (August 17, 2021) The alarming news of the outbreak of COVID in Fort Good Hope that has now spread to six communities is of great concern to Tłı̨chǫ Government. This is very sad news and we pray that all those that have been or will be affected will recover quickly and that the community spread can be stopped quickly.
It was with great sadness, but absolute need, that we must take action today. We must keep our people safe, and protect our elders and youth.
Effective immediately the 17th Tłı̨chǫ Gathering will continue as a virtual gathering, and the 100 Year Treaty 11 Anniversary Celebration as well as planned events like drum dances and hand game tournaments are postponed until it is safe to be together again.
The new variant spreads very quickly. And unfortunately, our vaccination rates in our Tłı̨chǫ communities are too low to risk community spread in our communities. If you have not been already, please get vaccinated for the safety of yourself and your community.
Arrangements to fly Tłı̨chǫ community members home will be starting Wednesday and Thursday. The flight schedule will be made available very soon and posted on our facebook site.
Sending people home is the safest thing to do – but everyone must go home stay home and be careful and watch for symptoms and then get tested immediately if you feel sick.
Please follow all the advice of the Chief Public Health Officer:
- If anyone who is not fully vaccinated comes into close contact with a COVID case, they MUST immediately isolate for 10 days.
- There are lots of places that people might have come into contact with the virus…..the public exposure list is on Tłı̨chǫ Government’s Facebook page and we will also post it.
- Anyone who has any symptoms should get immediately get tested and isolate for 10 days and not go to their home community.
Grand Chiefs Election Process.
While this year’s Tłı̨chǫ Annual Gathering is going to now be a virtual event, the nomination process for our Grand Chief election is going ahead. Administered by nomination and elections registrar Gabrielle Mackenzie Scott, the nomination process will still take place this Friday, August 20th, with each Tłı̨chǫ community having a location being ready to receive nominators and possible candidates in a safe way.
Our Tłı̨chǫ Constitution requires that nominations for Grand Chief take place during the Annual Gathering of an election year and the previous Tłı̨chǫ Assembly anticipated that Covid-19 outbreaks might require there to be adjustments and there is a special regulation in place.
This regulation gives the Grand Chief Election Registrar the ability to establish processes and rules that respect the advice and orders of the NWT Public Health Officer and to keep Tłı̨chǫ citizens safe and keep our elections fair and open to everyone.
The office of the registrar of Grand Chief Election can answer questions on this process
- Registrar: Gabrielle Mackenzie-Scott
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (867) 669-0442
