Utoo Radio with Other News Sources- December 4, 2024 - A draft self-government agreement for Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'įnę suggests that the Indigenous government could eventually replace the Town of Norman Wells, N.W.T., as the local government. The next step is community ratification, where members and leaders can vote on whether they support the draft agreement.

If they vote in favor, it would be made into territorial and federal legislation, and the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'įnę would become the latest Indigenous government in the N.W.T.

The agreement-in-principle states that the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'įnę membership needs to reach at least 70% of the total population of Norman Wells before it can become the public government.

If the transition becomes official, the town of Norman Wells would be dissolved and the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'įnę would take over all its lands, facilities, and responsibilities.

The agreement-in-principle also states that the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got'įnę would be responsible for everything that the current municipal government is in charge of, including taxation.

As an Indigenous government, it will have other responsibilities, including language and culture preservation, traditional healing, education, adoption, child and family services, income support, social housing, guardianship and trusteeship, wills and estates, marriage and settlement lands.