Hugs in the airport as Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'įnę members arrive in Norman Wells, N.W.T. to celebrate self-government

Delanie Cormier and her family peered through the window of the airport in Norman Wells, N.W.T., Friday to get a glimpse of passengers getting off of one of the planes that had landed in the community. Warm embraces in the airport followed soon after. 

The Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'įnę government has been celebrating the ratification of a self-government agreement this past week. Many Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'įnę members arrived in town for the weekend to mark the big milestone, and Cormier was among those waiting to greet them. 

"This is amazing that this is happening here in our hometown, I'm really happy that all my family and friends are here," said Cormier. "Most of them haven't seen where we grew up. I'm happy for that, for all of them, everybody to meet all the younger generations, that's our future.

"It means everything, this is my home, and I'm very proud of the self-government team, what they've managed to make happen for our people."

Norman Wells is at the heart of a major shift in governance as it begins implementing its self-government agreement, one shaped by decades of negotiations, the visions of elders, and the lived experiences of families.

The Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'ı̨nę government, formerly known as the Norman Wells Land Corporation, is hosting celebrations this weekend to mark the ratification of the final agreement, which lays the groundwork for a new form of governance grounded in Dene and Métis law.

Nolan Horner was one of around 90 passengers on a chartered plane that landed in Norman Wells. It's his first time in the community and he said it's surreal to be voting for the self-governance agreement and to be there in person.

"It made it feel a little more real, and kind of connected the heritage a little bit more. And now coming up here it's a full circle moment,' said Horner.

Sherry Hodgson, the president of the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'ı̨nę government, said these moments of reflection and reunion are a highlight of the celebration for her as well. 

"Some have never been here, and their family ties are from here. I think for them to see and be here.... Just knowing where their family came from is one of the most important things for me to see."

The agreement was officially ratified by the community earlier this year. Hodgson said they're now entering the beginning of the next chapter.

"There's a transition time where priorities are set, the goals, the laws, the procedures, regulations, and everything that comes along with creating the new government," said Hodgson. 

"We're all very excited about our next steps in this process."

Implementation in the coming months

The process ahead involves drafting new laws, creating administrative structures, and navigating relationships with the federal, territorial and municipal governments.

Hodgson said a workshop is scheduled for August where leaders will begin developing a "starter kit" of laws that will be part of the groundwork required to fully transition to a self-government.

Hodgson also emphasized the importance of honouring the legacy of those who came before.

"We started as a Métis nation and moved on to the land corporation after the land claim was signed," she said. "There was always a firm belief that we could chart our own course ... to make our own decisions on the land."

Not all of those who guided conversations over the years are still alive. Hodgson says their ideas remain central to the work ahead.

Self governance workings across the Sahtu

Self-government in the Sahtu is not limited to Norman Wells. Fred John Barnaby, a long-time band councillor and business arm representative, says Colville Lake is nearing the final stages of its own agreement.

Barnaby was in Norman Wells as people began to arrive this week.

"These are exciting times to be around and witnessing all these changes occurring," said Barnaby 

 "We wanted to add on some of our old traditional ways.... Passed on through generations, through word of mouth and our oral traditions. We're trying to keep that alive and get back to our roots."

Barnaby is hopeful that self-government will bring the autonomy and funding needed to build community programs that reflect local priorities, especially for youth facilities.

For many residents, the weekend's events are not only about governance, but about culture and connection as well.

"We need to remember ... and work in the direction that is positive for all of us, getting our families together and talking and discussing about their own elders within their own families, and how we would integrate them into what we're going to do tomorrow," said Hodgson.

While many technical and political steps still lie ahead, for now, the focus is on celebration — and those coming home.