Behchokǫ̀, April 21, 2023 – The Tłı̨chǫ Government’s Chiefs Executive Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Bertha Rabesca Zoe to the position of Tłı̨chǫ Executive Officer for the Tłı̨chǫ Government effective April 24, 2023. Ms. Rabesca Zoe will replace Laura Duncan, as  Ms. Duncan moves on to other opportunities with the Tłı̨chǫ Government. 

Ms. Rabesca Zoe, a Tłı̨chǫ citizen born and raised in Behchokǫ̀, worked in the region in multiple capacities before attending law school. Ms. Rabesca Zoe received her law degree from the  University of Alberta in 2003 and has been a member of the law society of the NWT since 2005.  After law school, she returned to the community and worked as legal counsel for the Tłı̨chǫ Government, including as lead counsel for the Tłı̨chǫ Devolution Agreement on lands and resources. She has also acted as the Laws Guardian, as a lead representative for the Tłı̨chǫ  Government on the Implementation Committee, and as part of the fiscal policy negotiation team. Her most recent position with the Government was as the Director of Planning and Partnerships,  a position she has held for the past year and a half. Ms. Rabesca Zoe has also held several positions with Boards and Committees outside the Tłı̨chǫ Government.  

Under Ms. Duncan’s leadership, the Tłı̨chǫ Government has grown significantly and Tłı̨chǫ citizen employees have been empowered to take greater responsibility over program and service delivery and have assumed leadership positions in the government. After 13 years of service, Ms.  Duncan has decided to move to the position of Executive Advisor where she will support the government’s administrative leadership.  

“Laura has been a valuable, compassionate, and dedicated leader for our Government. We are grateful for her many years of service and that she will continue to collaborate with our leadership and staff in her new position. I wish to congratulate Bertha on her new role as Tłı̨chǫ Executive Officer. Bertha will be an excellent leader for our government. She knows our communities and has the education and experience to make sure the unique Tłı̨chǫ vision for our government is realized. We look forward to her maintaining the momentum we have built and creating new initiatives with leadership that protect and promote Tłı̨chǫ language, culture, and way of life. 

It’s an exciting time for our people as we embrace the opportunities before us”.  - Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty 

For more information, contact: 
Tłı̨chǫ Government
Communications and Media Relations 
[email protected]