Tlicho Community Services Agency

Purpose

The purpose of the Tłıchǫ Community Services Agency (TCSA) is to improve the health, wellness, and education of the people in Tłıchǫ communities by providing a range of easily accessible, integrated programs and services. The Agency manages the delivery of education, health, wellness, and social programs and services for the NWT communities of Behchokǫ̀ (Rae-Edzo), Gamètı̀ (Rae Lakes), Wekweetı̀ (Snare Lake) and Whatı̀ (Lac La Martre).

Mission

The mission of the TCSA is to develop a continuum of care that will return control of education, health, and social programs and services to the people of our communities, support them in the task of strengthening their families, promote the knowledge and skills they need to survive today and model the values they need to live in harmony with their families, our communities and our land.

Vision

“Do Nake Lani Nats’etso…Strong like Two People”

In 1971 a frail Chief Jimmy Bruneau officially opened the new Edzo school that was to bear his name. On this occasion, he spoke of the importance of a model of bicultural and bilingual education where equal emphasis must be given to educating children in two cultures. Some years later in 1991 at a meeting to discuss the work of a new Board of Education, a respected Behchokǫ̀ elder, Elizabeth Mackenzie, commented on her understanding of the words of Chief Jimmy Bruneau. She described his vision as asking for his people to be “Strong Like Two People”.

The Tlicho Community Services Agency provides for management, administration and delivery of key programs and services such as education, health care, and social services in the four Tlicho communities. The Tlicho Community Services Agency is the only authority that combines the functions of a health authority and an education council in the Northwest Territories