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Behchokǫ̀

Welcome to the community of Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories, Canada, largest First Nations community in Northwest Territories near the North Arm of Great Slave Lake.

Behchokǫ̀ was formally known as Rae-Edzo, the name was officially changed under the Tłı̨chǫ agreement in 2005. Although it has always been known as and referred to as Behchokǫ̀ in the Tłı̨chǫ language. Behchokǫ̀ from the Tłı̨chǫ language means "Big Knife".

Behchokǫ̀ is comprised of three neighbourhood communities, Rae, Edzo, and Frank Channel.

  • Rae can be traced back to Dr. John Rae, who opened a Hudson's Bay Company post in 1882 at Old Fort Rae about 8 km from the present location, on Marion Lake. Rae is the main community where most of the people and services are located, and houses the central offices for the Tłı̨chǫ Government and the Tłįchǫ Community Services Agency.  
  • Edzo was a Tłı̨chǫ leader who made peace with Akaitcho. Edzo was named after a historical Tłı̨chǫ leader who arranged peace between the Tłı̨chǫ and the Yellowknives. Development of Edzo begin in 1965 by the government, to attract residents from Rae to the new community, however many chose to remain in Rae, where hunting, fishing and trapping were more accessible. Today Edzo, is a largely a residential community and home to the Chief Jimmy Bruneau Regional High School. Edzo is located just off of Highway No. 3 and is about 15 km by road from Rae.
  • Frank Channel is the gateway between Marion Lake and Great Slave Lake. Frank Channel located near Highway No. 3 and is about 10 km by road from Rae, and 5km from Edzo.

Traditional and cultural lifestyle remains important in Behchokǫ̀ and hunting, fishing and trapping remain parts of the livelihood of many of our people.

Businesses

True North Safaris

True North Safaris is an Indigenous owned tour company located in Canada’s Northwest Territories. We offer a wide range of authentic northern experiences including wilderness lodging, fishing, Aurora viewing, wildlife viewing and ice-road tours.  Read more about the company and services here (in PDF)

For more information contact via:
T  - 867-873-8533 TF 1-888-359-9532
W - www.truenorthsafaris.com

 

Behchoko Motel
Rae-Edzo Dene Band Corporation runs Behchok'o Motel which is in Behchokǫ̀ , NT. Seven Rooms. All rooms feature Wi-Fi, Cable TV and a kitchenette with a fridge and microwave. Four rooms also include a stove. There is also one two-bedroom suite, with three beds, a kitchen and a living room. Centrally located, near health centre and northern store.
 
For Bookings/Pricing Contact:
For any general inquiries, please contact TIC's main corporate office at the number (867) 766-4909 or by email [email protected].
Winterhawk Bed & Breakfast

Located in Edzo off off the Mackenzie Highway No. 3. Book today, by phone 867-446-5747 or by email [email protected]

Northern Exposure
 is a family business with a single goal: to provide the best quality service at the best rate possible, saving money on freight allows northern company's to be more competitive and sustain an edge over there southern competition. We are a truly locally northern owned and operated freight company providing ltl service and ftl   between Yellowknife and Edmonton.
   
  • Call, or text Dave at 867 445 9222
  • Email [email protected]  
  • visit website on https://www.hyway3transport.com/
Somba K'e Dental Clinic

Welcome to Somba K'e Family Dental where we strive to exceed your expectations through our friendly staff, modern office, and professional results. Dr. Hazen Kobaisy travel from Yellowknife to Behchokö on Thursdays throughout the year. Our Behchokö Clinic is located in the Tłįcho Hotel on the main floor.


Contact Information:

  • 4901 48th, P.O. Box 2637, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2P9
  • Tel: (867) 873-2027
  • Fax: (867) 873-4410
  • Toll Free: 1-866-898-2027
  • Website: www.sombakedental.com
Tli Cho Air

Tli Cho Air Inc. is a joint venture between Air Tindi Ltd. and the Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation. The joint venture operates a diverse fleet of aircraft offering charter air services throughout the Tłı̨chǫ region. Scheduled air passenger and cargo service to the Tłı̨chǫ communities are provided by Air Tindi Ltd.

Contact Information:

  • P.O. Box 685, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2N5
  • Tel: (867) 669-8200
  • Fax: (867) 669-8210
  • Toll Free: 1-888-545.6794
  • Website: www.airtindi.com
Tlicho Online Store

Welcome to the Tlicho Online Store, selling handmade authentic native art and crafts made by the Tłı̨chǫ, including First Nations and artists from the Northwest Territories. 

Contact Information: 

Trappers Hideaway Restaurant

We provide casual food dining and pick-up orders to go seven days a week.

Contact Information:

  • Tel: (867) 392-6868
  • Location: on Dona Tili next to FC Services
Behchokǫ̀ Towing Services

24-hour roadside assistance and towing services from Yellowknife to Fort Providence on the Mackenzie Highway (Highway #3), Northwest Territories. Services also include Boosting, Lock-Outs, Auto Towing 4x4 recovery to local, long distance and ice roads.

Contact Information:

  • Tel: (867) 392-6811 Mobile: (867) 765-5308
  • Location: 538 Kimbo Tili
  • Mailing Address: PO Box 328, Behchokǫ̀, NT, X0E 0Y0
F.C. Services Ltd.

Convenience store and fuel station for vehicles. We offer light mechanical service in Behchokǫ̀ area. Visit them on facebook here.

Contact Information: 

  • Tel: (867) 392-9655
  • Location: 506 Dona Tili
  • Mailing Address: PO Box 100, Behchokǫ̀, NT, X0E 0Y0
First North Productions

Audio/Video and Printed-media services. We also offer equipment rentals.

Contact Information:

Northern Store
Northern is the largest retailer of Food and General Merchandise in the Canadian North. Our Behchoko store has a Post Office and Gas Bar. Has an ATM in both locations. Offers Tax preperation, Hot Beverages. Pre-Paid Visa cards. Calling cards. 

Contact Information:

  • Store Tel: (867) 392-6301
  • Gas Station Tel: (867) 392-6018
  • Mailing Address: PO Box 40, Behchokǫ̀, NT, X0E 0Y0

Community Government

Community Government

The Behchokǫ̀, Gamètì, Wekweetì and Whatì Community Governments were established on August 4th, 2005 as a result of the signing of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement. It is an independent public government with powers and responsibilities similar to the municipal government of other NWT communities.

Tłı̨chǫ Community Government Act established the community government of Behchokǫ̀, Whatì, Gamètì, and Wekweetì, and describes their boundaries. This Act covers the composition and role of the community council, eligibility to vote, the duties of the chief, and it details the powers of these municipalities. A copy of the Act is available online from the Government of the Northwest Territories, or click here for the PDF copy.

The Tłı̨chǫ Community Government of Behchokǫ̀ is a municipal corporation with responsibilities for community planning, public works and community improvements, public utilities such as water quality, water delivery and sewage services as well as emergency response planning and fire protection, recreation and other services such as bylaw enforcement.

The Community Government administers all lands within Behchokǫ̀, and regulates land use and development through its Community Plan, Zoning By-law, leasing, and Development Permit processes.

A Community Government Council consists of 10 members and lead by a Chief. Elections is every four years.

Contact Information for Community Government of Behchokǫ̀

Chief: Clifford Daniels
Senior Administrative Officer: [email protected]
Assistant Senior Administrative Officer: Treeva Richardson 

Mailing Address: PO Box 68 Behchokǫ̀, NT X0E 0Y0

Office Tel: 867.392.6500
Fax: 867.392.6139
Fire Emergency:  867.392.2222
Public Works: 867.392.6111
Sewer & Water Rae 867.392.6966
Sewer & Water Edzo: 867.371.4501

    

    

TŁĮCHǪ Community Services Agency

Child and Family Services

Wellness CentreMental Health and Addictions Services are delivered in the Tłı̨chǫ communities by staff of the two wellness centres in Behchokǫ̀ and Whatì.. Counsellors in the Whatì Centre also serve the people in Gamètì. Our counsellors and other staff in our Behchokǫ̀ centre serve people in Rae and Edzo as well as in Wekweetì. Our mental health and addictions strategy is called the Tłı̨chǫ Healing Path. The goal of the Healing Path is to have “healthy people in healthy communities”.  The Tłı̨chǫ  Healing Path Wellness Strategy PDF

Social Worker with ChildThe Need for a Change Many people in our communities suffer from addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling. Others suffer the physical and social effects of addictions - Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), quitting school, family conflicts and break-ups, poverty and unemployment, conflict with the law and other at-risk behaviours.

Still others suffer from illnesses, many of which are preventable - illnesses such as diabetes, cancers related to smoking and sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). Many of our children are "at risk" - growing up in unhealthy conditions.  Stories From Our Youth: The Effect of Addictions in Our Community PDF

A Tłı̨chǫ Approach The Healing Path Wellness Strategy is a Tłı̨chǫ Strategy. It was designed by Tłı̨chǫ people to meet the needs of our families and communities. The Healing Path Wellness Strategy can provide you with access to the assistance of the many trained professionals, other resource people and caregivers in our communities, as well as other support services in the NWT and beyond as necessary. As part of the strategy, we are creating a network of trained caregivers including elders in each community. We rely heavily on the support and guidance of people who have come through their own healing process and would like to volunteer their help to others. If you are interested in helping others in our communities, please call the Wellness Centre in Rae-Edzo at 867-392-6777. If you are in Gamètì, Wekweetì or Whatì, please call collect.

Protection Services is a part of what is more commonly known as child and family or social services. Protection services is about protecting and taking care of people who may not be able to take care of themselves such as children or elders. At the territorial level these services also include helping to manage and control public health issues such as clean air and water, safe food handling practices and infectious disease control.

Links to Useful Information & Public Education Sites Disclaimer:

The materials offered on the Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency website are intended for educational and information purposes only. This website does not offer medical or any other kind of advice. Any information provided on or linked from the TCSA website is not a substitute for medical opinion.

Foster Family Coalition of the NWT is a “unified voice dedicated to improving the quality of life for foster children and youth by supporting foster families wellbeing.” http://www.ffcnwt.com

ICAH Information Centre on Aboriginal Health sponsored by the National Aboriginal Health Organization, this site is a portal to hundreds of other resources on everything from wellness and acute healthcare issues, programs and services, health careers, education and training and scholarships and bursaries. http://www.icah.ca/

Sexuality and You sponsored by the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada is a website devoted to sexuality education and information from sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) to contraception awareness, and lifestyle choices to talking about sex. The site has sections for Teens, Adults, Parents, Teachers and Health Professionals. http://www.sexualityandu.ca/

The 411 Initiative For Change undertakes public education and the promotion of civic participation of young people on social issues that frame their development within their communities; it works to build and strengthen the national action movement on common global issues, in their domestic and international contexts. http://www.whatsthe411.ca/

TŁĮCHǪ Government

Tłı̨chǫ Government

On August 4th, 2005, the Tłı̨chǫ  Agreement came into effect and with it, the Tłı̨chǫ Government was established. 

The headquarters of the Tłı̨chǫ Government is located in Behchokǫ̀. There are Community Presence Offices in each community (Behchokǫ̀, Whatì Gamètì, and Wekweètì) representing the Tłı̨chǫ Government.  

Visit the Government section of the website to learn more about the programs and services provided by the Tłı̨chǫ Government. 

Please email [email protected] for more information.  

 

 

Tourist Information

Welcome to the capital of the Tłı̨chǫ Region.

Traveling to Behchokǫ̀ is accessible by road from the Mackenzie Highway (Highway 3), located about an hour north west of Yellowknife by road.  

If you would like accommodation contact the Tli Cho Hotel located in the heart of Behchokǫ̀, or Winter Hawk Bed & Breakfast, located in Edzo, off the Mackenzie Highway 3.

There are also very fine arts and crafts of beaded jackets, mitts and slippers, painting and reproductions of traditional Tłįchǫ tools are made by several local families. To view these works of art, visit the Online store or Fine and Decorative Arts section.

If you have not found what you are looking for please email [email protected]