Addiction treatment facility among topics discussed at Tłı̨chǫ gathering

Concerns about drugs and alcohol in Tłı̨chǫ communities have both citizens and the government discussing the possibility of building a wellness centre to treat addiction.

The Tłı̨chǫ Annual Gathering was held in Whatì this week, and attendees were given the chance to share their thoughts about health and wellness with leaders during a question and answer period. 

Joe Rabesca is a former Tłı̨chǫ grand chief and a key contributor to the land claim and negotiation process. He said he is currently a special advisor with the Tłı̨chǫ government. 

He said drugs and alcohol have been robbing communities of their young. 

Rabesca said an upcoming project the Tłı̨chǫ leaders are considering is a treatment centre that would be on the land and in a central location for Behchokǫ̀, Gamètì, Wekweètì and Whatì.

He supports the idea, but said the government needs to find a realistic way to finance it.

"I know it's going to take a lot of work, yes you can do the things you want to do, but first you need to find money to do it," he said. 

The Tłı̨chǫ agreement gives the nation responsibility over health care, but Rabesca said the cost of building and operating a treatment facility could be significant and requires planning to ensure the government doesn't fall into a deficit. 

Such facilities have been a regular discussion in the Legislative Assembly, but the territory's health minister has said it's not a priority. 

There are currently no treatment centres in the N.W.T., and those needing these services have to travel south.

The search for a Tłı̨chǫ Investment Corporation president was another matter that was discussed at the gathering.

Ted Blondin, a director with the corporation, said they're still working on a job description for the unique position. He said the role involves working with community leadership and various businesses, and the successful candidate would need to know how to read financial statements.

"The president there would be Tłı̨chǫ," Blondin told attendees of another open forum. 

"That position will be paid a lot of money, so we want to make sure that [person] is well prepared for the work that we're asking them to do," he said. "We don't want to set them up for failure."