One of the most exciting challenges facing the new Tłıchǫ Government (formed in 2005) is the preservation and growth of Tłıchǫ (also known as Dogrib) culture and traditions. The Department of Culture and Lands Protection is currently accumulating pictures, audio recordings, videos, and documents from Tłıchǫ members. To date, over 30,000 items have been collected and digitized. The items provide insights into Tlichǫ history, cultural practices, and traditional knowledge.
Recognizing the importance and popularity of the data, the Tłıchǫ Government engaged the environmental science division of Associated Engineering to recommend an approach to develop and implement a meaningful and effective data management system. To begin, our project team led a two-day workshop in Yellowknife, NT, to clarify the purpose and outcomes of the data management system; present a range of feasible data management solutions/options and their strengths and weaknesses; develop a clear path forward that would produce a meaningful data management system; and provide a clear framework for the data management system to meet government and community requirements for at the next 10-20 years.
With the draft strategic plan, the Tłıchǫ Government now has the basis for developing and implementing a relevant, customized data management solution to help store and access their sensitive and rich history.