The Tłı̨chǫ Government’s Department of Healing and Community Wellness released its 2026 Annual Report on June 30, giving Behchokǫ̀ residents a detailed look at how wellness services are growing in the community.
The report replaces the previous 2025 edition and outlines the department’s six key goals, or “trail markers,” guiding a 10-year healing plan. These include making care easier to access, backing community-led priorities, strengthening the department itself, coordinating with partner organizations, communicating with citizens, and using research to improve services.
It highlights the first-ever Tłı̨chǫ Recovery Coach Certification program, which wrapped up in Behchokǫ̀ in February 2025. Twenty people from across Tłı̨chǫ communities took part, and 14 moved on to an advanced 20-week mastery program. This hands-on training builds local expertise to support people dealing with addiction and mental health challenges.
The department’s mandate is to improve mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being by weaving together traditional Tłı̨chǫ healing concepts with modern health systems. The Tłı̨chǫ Community Services Agency runs the Mary Adele Bishop Health Centre in Behchokǫ̀, which serves the largest First Nations community in the territory. After the centre was forced to close during the 2023 wildfire evacuation, restoring full services has remained a priority.
The 2026 report lands during the 6th Tłı̨chǫ Assembly’s 2026–2030 term, following the wellness-focused priorities it established in October 2025. By pairing local recovery coaches, cultural workshops, and a clear long-term plan, the department says it is building a stronger foundation for healing across the region.
