The Tłı̨chǫ Government led by Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty will be holding the 21st Tłįchǫ Annual Gathering and 1st Session of the 6th Tłı̨chǫ Assembly in Behchokǫ̀ from Aug. 11 to 14, 2025. The gathering will take place at the Behchokǫ̀ Culture Center.
The 20 year anniversary of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement, and the collective participation of Tłı̨chǫ community members, Tłı̨chǫ government leaders and others in events beginning this weekend, honour Tłı̨chǫ cultural heritage, a living legacy and cross-cultural relationships around modern treaties.
This weekend, Tłı̨chǫ community members participating in the Trails of Our Ancestors journey were joined by the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs of Canada, Rebecca Alty.
The Trails of Our Ancestors journey is a week-long canoe journey, that began in Gamètı̀ makings stops in Whatì̀ and Wekweètı̀ before the final stop in Behchokǫ̀.
The journey is an annual tradition of the Tłı̨chǫ people, honouring the legacy of their ancestors, history and the Tłı̨chǫ culture. The Trails of Our Ancestors journey takes place each year before each Tłı̨chǫ Annual Gathering, honouring the landmark journey that Chief Monfwi took in 1921 with the Tłı̨chǫ tribe to sign Treaty 11 – the first iterations of what is now known as the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement with the Government of Canada. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the agreement
“The Honourable Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, Rebecca Alty, joined the Grand Chief, Tłı̨chǫ Chiefs, and citizens on the final leg of the Trail of Our Ancestors canoe journey, arriving in Behchokǫ̀ on August 10th ahead of the 21st Tłı̨chǫ Annual Gathering.,” said the Tłı̨chǫ government in a media announcement.
“Minister Alty paddled alongside the Grand Chief, Tłı̨chǫ Chiefs, and community members for the final stretch into Behchokǫ̀. The Chiefs welcomed her for the day, noting the importance of the occasion as a recognition of history, self-determination, and partnership between the Tłı̨chǫ Government and the Crown.”
The 20 year anniversary of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement, and the shared participation of Tłı̨chǫ community members, Tłı̨chǫ government leaders, Minister Alty and others is a recognition of the relationship the Government of Canada and industry partners have with the Tłı̨chǫ people. The event acknowledges the Tłı̨chǫ cultural heritage and a living legacy.
The end of the journey marks the start of the 21st Tłı̨chǫ Annual Gathering and the 1st Session of the 6th Tłı̨chǫ Assembly.
The public is invited to attend the docking of the flotilla, arriving into Behchokǫ̀ at 4:00pm behind the Culture Centre.
(story was updated on August 11)
