Today is a significant day in our history.  August 4th is a day for Tlicho citizens to remember and celebrate the struggles and the successes of the Tlicho nation.  On this day five years ago, the first   Tlicho Assembly session was held and the Tlicho Government was officially realized.  The day marked the end of a long negotiation process that concluded with the Tlicho Agreement and the signing of Bill C 14 in February 2005.  For all Tlicho citizens, today is a day that we remember the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

August 4, 2005 was the effective date of the Tlicho Agreement and is celebrated as the day the Tlicho Nation was recognized as having the inherent right to self-government.  This is also the date the Tlicho Constitution, a document created by our elders and approved by our Nation in 2000, became effective.  The Constitution represents the codification of our way of governing and is the highest order of law of the Tlicho Government. 

There have been many events over the past 5 years that deserve recognition including:

• the Grand Chief Elections in September 2005 and 2009;
• the six Annual Gatherings in each of the four Tlicho communities;
• the successful creation of the Tlicho Investment Corporation, which holds all Tlicho Government owned businesses;
• the development of a Draft Land Use Plan that will be ready for Assembly consideration in 2011; and
• the creation of the co-management boards and processes for Assembly proceedings and appeals. 

Current Grand Chief Joe Rabesca provided the following statement: 

"The Tlicho people have faced many challenges since the effective date; we have met and will continue to meet challenges with optimism   and Tlicho Spirit.  Please join me in celebrating the Tlicho success after 5 years of existence and lets look to the future of continued economic and social growth for the Tlicho Nation while preserving the history of our ancestors." 

Congratulations on our five-year anniversary.  Happy Birthday to the Tlicho Government!