Webinar - Bridging the gap: Revitalizing Tłı̨chǫ Nàowoò (Way of Life) through Ekwǫ̀ (caribou) and Environmental Stewardship

Stephanie is a Wildlife Biologist with the Tłı̨chǫ Government in the Northwest Territories where she runs Díga Harvesting program, the Ekwǫ̨̀̀ Harvest Monitoring program and plays an advisory and researcher role for the Ekwǫ̨̀̀ Nàxoèhdee K’è program. Her interest in the outdoors began in high school when she realized she did not want to be stuck in an office job. Stephanie attended the Natural Resource Technology Program in Fort Smith and later transferred to the University of Lethbridge where she graduated with a bachelors in Environmental Science. In the summer of 2012, Stephanie moved to the Sahtú region to work as a Wildlife Biologist Intern for GNWT-ENR (now ECC). As a Tłı̨chǫ citizen, originally from Behchokǫ̀, Stephanie felt very privileged to be working with the people of the Sahtú for the common goal of conserving wildlife.
 

Stephanie’s experience also includes working for the Ekati diamond mine Environment Department as a summer student, a Renewable Officer with GNWT-ENR as a summer student, the Lands Department of the Tłı̨chǫ Government as a Wildlife Coordinator, and several co-op internships while she was in University. These opportunities in the field inspired her passion for wildlife conservation and prepared her for her current job where she spends significant time outdoors, something she continues to enjoy. Her interests also include the importance of weaving Traditional Knowledge along with the western Scientific Knowledge. As an indigenous woman, Stephanie takes pride in being able to use both paradigms and she is honoured to have the chance to work with many local hunters and harvesters as well as scientists from all over to collect knowledge that can be used to ensure wildlife will be plentiful for future generations. 

Lydiah is a Tłı̨chǫ member who was born in Yellowknife and raised in Behchoko, NT. She currently lives in Yellowknife, where she is raising her young family. Lydiah is a proud mother of three young girls that hopes to see them immerse and flourish in the Tłı̨chǫ culture, language and way of life. She advocates in raising her daughters to become strong impactful Tłı̨chǫ women in today’s society.
 

Lydiah is the Field Research Logistical Coordinator for Tłı̨chǫ Government (TG) in Yellowknife, NT. Lydiah Rabesca comes from a family of leaders who work in different government sectors and within the Tłı̨chǫ nation. Over the years, she has been a part of various TG projects that focuses on culture, language, traditional knowledge, wildlife protection and youth programs. The more she spends time on the land, with Tłı̨chǫ elders and sitting in government meetings and committee management boards, she believes that young Indigenous people are the key to the future and are the ones who fill in the gaps in all of the issues our Canadian Indigenous people face. Not only is she passionate in empowering Indigenous youth and women, she has a strong interest in strengthening her Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì, traditional knowledge and cultural practices. Lydiah is determined to learn more about intergovernmental relations and plans to strengthen her knowledge on Indigenous Governance with the intent of defending inheritance rights and governing the Tłı̨chǫ lands on behalf of the Tłı̨chǫ people. She hopes with all the education, knowledge and wisdom she has gained from her job experiences, this will lead her to follow her family’s leadership role and continue to live a life of purpose.  

Janelle is a member of the Tłı̨chǫ Nation, she was born in Yellowknife and was raised in her home community, WhaTi.  She currently lives in Gamètì where she is employed as a Research Coordinator for the Department of Culture and Lands Protection within Tłı̨chǫ Government.  Janelle has been a Research Coordinator officially since 2022 but has done work in the fields of research, culture & language prior. Janelle is a strong believer in knowledge sharing, her greatest teachers have been the many elders, youth and researchers she has had the opportunity to work with.

Janelle was raised by her mother Cecilia, and her late grandparents Johnny and Dora Nitsiza. She has immense respect for her late grandparents as they were her first teachers. She was raised in a traditional Tłı̨chǫ home; where language, culture and Tłı̨chǫ way of life was practiced daily. She is grateful to her many aunts, uncles, and cousins who also played a big role in her upbringing.

Today Janelle serves on the Wek’eezhi Renewable Resource Board (WRRB) as a Tłı̨chǫ Board Member. She is also a Regional Board Member for the Native Women’s Association of the Northwest Territories (NWANWT), recently she became the Tłı̨chǫ Community Advisor for the NWT On the Land Collaborative. Janelle truly appreciates her experience with Northern Youth Abroad, where she first discovered her passion for promoting and advocating Tlicho language, culture and way of life. In her career, Janelle has had amazing opportunities to travel within Monfwi Gogha De Niitlee for various projects she has been involved in. Working with elders, knowledge keepers and youth has really helped her understand and value the work she does. She keeps busy working with researchers who come to the Tłı̨chǫ Region and helps guide them through the communities. Janelle is grateful for all of these opportunities and looks forward to learning and working more in her Tłı̨chǫ homeland.