How Norman Wells leaders see TGG self-government – Cabin Radio

Press Release

April 4, 2025

The president of a Sahtu Dene and Métis group heading toward self-government in Norman Wells says the move will offer stability and a platform for growth.

Sherry Hodgson leads the Tłegǫ́hłı̨ Got’įnę Government, which has several hundred members. Voting members just ratified a self-government agreement that’s expected to come into effect in the coming months.

Self-government ultimately offers the ability to take over areas like education, social housing, and child and family services.

First, Hodgson said, it will give the TGG a chance to build meaningful capacity by offering “the ability to have the human resources within our organization that are not on a year-to-year contract based on NGO contribution agreements.”

The TGG expects self-government to come with at least $4.6 million in annual funding from the federal government, rather than the one-off grants and contributions it can currently receive as a regular not-for-profit.

“We’re able to employ people for longer periods of time and give that stability,” Hodgson said.

She added that self-government also opens avenues for the membership to grow in future.

Should the TGG’s membership ever reach 70 percent of Norman Wells’ population – currently, it’s less than half that – the self-government agreement provides for the TGG replacing the Town of Norman Wells as the municipal government, forming a single government for the Sahtu community.

Hodgson said that is “a longer-term goal” and the TGG leadership of the day, if that milestone is reached, would have to decide if assuming those municipal responsibilities is a good idea or not.

“What is best for the community of Norman Wells as a whole, and will us rolling in be better? Is it going to help, or will it increase the responsibilities but reduce the amount of people doing these jobs?” Hodgson asked, suggesting the dilemma the TGG will face if that threshold is met.

“We want to work together to be able to ensure that the town of Norman Wells will grow,” she continued, raising the current economic challenges facing the community with low water affecting barge resupply, high fuel prices and the impending closure of the oil field that supplies local jobs and revenue.

“We all know what’s happening there, so we want to make sure there’s something there that’s going to be for the future, our youth.”

In the meantime, the self-government agreement provides for regular consultation between the existing town government and the TGG to ensure municipal policies and bylaws respect TGG rights.

“I like to believe that living there, boots on the ground, everybody is going to do what’s right for the community,” said Hodgson.

“My confidence in the ability to work together is great. I think whatever is best as a whole for the community is something we should all do and strive for.”

Mayor Frank Pope, who leads the existing town council, said in a written statement that council congratulated TGG on the ratification of its self-government agreement.

“Town council look forward to developing a sound working relationship with TGG along with the Chamber of Commerce, collectively working together on behalf of all residents of Norman Wells,” Pope wrote.

ILR5