Representing a very effective partnership, officials of the community Governments of Wekweeti, the Tlicho Government and several departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) came together Tuesday, Sept. 22 for the grand opening of the Wekweeti Bridge.

 

The bridge offers much-appreciated improvements to the region’s transportation network. As importantly, it also gives community residents easy access to recreational areas and an old cemetery site. 

 

Master of Ceremonies Sudhir Jha, a representative of Municipal and Community Affairs, GNWT started festivities by welcoming everyone to the historic event and introducing the guests of honour.

 

Did you know?   The Wekweeti Bridge is constructed of concrete built on steel piles. It is 215 feet long and 17 feet wide.   The bridge was funded in part through the Building Canada Plan (Canada’s Economic Action Plan). Total project cost is $1.014 million.

Guests of honor included five senior representatives from the Tlicho Government:

• Grand Chief Eddie Erasmus,
• Wekweeti Chief Johnny Arrowmaker
• Behchoko Chief Clifford Daniels, 
• Whati Chief Alfonz Nitsiza, and 
• Gameti Chief David Wedawin.

Seven members of Cabinet of the Government of the Northwest Territories attended the event:

Gameti elder Joe Black began the official ceremony by offering an opening prayer, then Wekweeti Chief Arrowmaker welcomed the audience. 

 

Several dignitaries then offered words of inspiration to the audience. First to offer remarks was Former Chief Charlie Football. 

 

“When you are a leader, you look at what the community needs and you take steps to make that happen. This project is a good example. It has resulted in something really beneficial for our community,” explained Chief Football. “Really effective communication always results into good things.”

 

Next to offer his words of inspiration was Chief Arrowmaker.

 

“A lot of people have worked on this bridge project and many more people will use the bridge,” offered Chief Arrowmaker. “It will be here for a long time to serve the people of Wekweeti, potentially using it with the winter road.”

 

The Honorable Tom Beaulieu, Minister of Transportation stepped forward next. The Minister represented the NWT Department of Transportation, one of the major partners in the bridge project. 

 

“This bridge is an indication of how a community vision can come to reality. We are very pleased with the result,” said Minister Beaulieu.

 

Next to offer remarks was the Honorable Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture, Employment and Minister Responsible for the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission. Minister Lafferty is also MLA for Monfwi.

 

“Ten years ago the community started this project and now they are half way. As the former chief said, the community government, Municipal and Community Affairs and the Transportation Department have been working together very effectively on this project,” concluded Minister Lafferty.

 

With the completion of the bridge, the community has plans to build a road from the end of the bridge to the nearby recreational areas, which would complete the full vision of easy access to these areas.

 

The final guest of honor to offer words of inspiration was Tlicho Grand Chief Eddie Erasmus. 

 

“This bridge is a really good example of how individuals, the community, staff and the Government of the Northwest Territories can work together to make a dream a reality,” said the Grand Chief. “We are standing on the bridge of the future. The young people here — the children — will be using this bridge long into the future. Over the long term, it will also make the winter road extend its season both at the start of the winter and as winter comes to a close.”

 

After the dignitaries’ remarks, Premier McLeod, Grand Chief Eddie Erasmus, Chief Johnny Arrowmaker and former Chief Charlie Football together cut a bright, bold red ribbon to mark the official opening of the bridge. After the ribbon cutting, a formal blessing of the bridge was offered.

 

Mr. Jha, MC, thanked all guests and honoured representatives of the governments for making the bridge opening a priority in their busy schedules. 

 

After the formal ceremonies were concluded, all guests enjoyed a community feast at Arbour where Joseph Judas, Councillor for the Government of Wekweeti, offered closing remarks.

 

Wekweeti Senior Administrative Officer Grace Angel coordinated the well planned event and wishes to thank all the invited government officials, the funders, current and former Councils and her staff for all the hard work and dedication in completing this project in a timely manner.

 

For more information please contact:

Grace Angel, SAO

Community Government of Wekweeti

Phone-867-713-2010

Fax-867-713-2030

Email- [email protected]