'Another historical event,' Tłı̨chǫ grand chief says of new female chief in Behchokǫ

CBC News

· Posted: Jun 11, 2025 2:20 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 minutes ago

Tłı̨chǫ leaders accidental residents person opted for alteration aft Bertha Rabesca-Zoe was voted to regenerate longtime main Clifford Daniels to pb Behchokǫ̀, N.W.T., aft Monday's election. 

Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty and Chief-elect Rabesca-Zoe accidental it's the archetypal clip a pistillate volition pb the community. 

"I deliberation being the archetypal pistillate main has a batch of value for galore people, particularly our young ladies," Rabesca-Zoe said. 

"With acquisition and determination and commitment, you tin execute immoderate goals you acceptable for yourself."

Rabesca-Zoe volition go the 3rd pistillate main retired of 4 Tłı̨chǫ communities, joining Wekweètı̀ Chief Adeline Football and Gamètı̀ Chief Doreen Arrowmaker.

Rabesca-Zoe described Behchokǫ̀ arsenic a predominantly Catholic assemblage and said she thinks immoderate inactive transportation the content that women shouldn't pb but Monday's predetermination shows a propulsion for caller direction.   

"I deliberation radical conscionable mostly were acceptable for change," she said. 

Lafferty besides pointed to the information that galore of the caller councillors are young, thing that helium said besides signifies the public's privation for caller ideas for the region.   

Lafferty recognized outgoing Behchokǫ̀ main Clifford Daniels, who served for 16 years, and outgoing Whatı̀ main Alfonz Nitsiza. 

He said he's looking guardant to moving with each of the caller and returning leaders. 

"It's different humanities event," helium said. "Things are changing with us."

For Rabesca-Zoe, the archetypal bid of concern volition beryllium to conscionable with assembly to acceptable priorities. She said she's keen to get to enactment connected tackling the lodging and cause crises successful her community. She says she's considering a 24-hour blockade to halt the travel of drugs into Behchokǫ̀ and volition look guardant to proceeding different ideas connected however champion to service the community.