Tlicho

The Tlicho are an Indigenous people of the Northwest Territories in Canada. Their traditional territory encompasses a vast area south of Great Bear Lake, extending to the western arm of Great Slave Lake. The Tlicho language, also known as Tłı̨chǫ, is an Athapaskan language spoken by the people. Historically, the Tlicho were nomadic hunters and trappers, following the caribou herds that were central to their sustenance and culture. Their traditional lifestyle was deeply connected to the land and its resources.

The Tlicho government is a self-governing Indigenous group. In 2005, the Tlicho Government and the Government of Canada signed the Tlicho Final Agreement, a comprehensive land claims and self-government agreement. This agreement provides the Tlicho with significant control over their lands, resources, and governance. The Tlicho Nation is comprised of four main communities: Behchokò, Gamètì, Whatì, and Wekweètì. Each community has a distinct identity while remaining part of the larger Tlicho Nation. The Tlicho continue to maintain their cultural heritage, language, and traditions, while also engaging with modern governance and economic development.