Deline Got'ine Government
A self-governing nation on the shores of Great Bear Lake, leading the way in Indigenous autonomy and cultural preservation.
Who Are We
The Sahtu Dene Council is a non-profit Society incorporated in 1987 under the Societies Act of the Northwest Territories. The offices of the SDC are shared with the Sahtu Secretariat Inc.
The Sahtu Dene Council is a unified tribal body dedicated to the governance, cultural preservation, and socio-economic well-being of our member nations.
Sahtu Tribal Council and Member First Nations
The SDC serves as the central Tribal Council organization to the four Sahtu First Nations. Tribal Councils are defined as institutions established as "a grouping of bands with common interests who voluntarily join together to provide advisory and /or program services to member bands".
Our governance model ensures that every member tribe has a voice in the collective future of the Sahtu region, balancing local autonomy with regional strength.
The Sahtu Dene Council member bands (First Nations) are: Fort Good Hope Dene Community Council; Deline Got’ine Government; Tulita Dene Band; and the Behdzi Ahda First Nation (Colville Lake).
The Tribal Council Model
The Sahtu Dene Council operates as a collaborative body where leadership from each member community convenes to address regional issues. This model respects the inherent rights and self-governance of individual tribes.
Decision-Making Bodies
The Council is guided by the Chiefs of the member tribes, who serve as the primary decision-makers. Regular assemblies are held to ensure transparency and community-led direction.
Responsibilities & Mandates
Our mandates include the administration of the ISET program, advocacy for treaty rights, and the promotion of Dene language and culture.
Governance Structure of the Sahtu Regional Organizations
Both the SSI and the SDC are organized to represent the individual and organizational membership in all Sahtu communities and are generally viewed as regional organizations working for the benefit of all the Sahtu people.
SDC has a board of four directors. Each director is appointed from their respective Sahtu indigenous community. The Board of Directors appoint a representative amongst themselves to be Grand Chief and Vice-Grand Chief of the Council.
The SDC Executive Director is most senior position with the organization and is accountable for planning, organizing, structuring, staffing, and directing the SDC. This position has a direct reporting relationship to the Board of the Directors.
The Tribal Council Model
The Sahtu Dene Council operates as a collaborative body where leadership from each member community convenes to address regional issues. This model respects the inherent rights and self-governance of individual tribes.
Decision-Making Bodies
The Council is guided by the Chiefs of the member tribes, who serve as the primary decision-makers. Regular assemblies are held to ensure transparency and community-led direction.
Responsibilities & Mandates
Our mandates include the administration of the ISET program, advocacy for treaty rights, and the promotion of Dene language and culture.
Our Member Tribes
The Sahtu Dene Council is proud to represent and serve these distinct and vibrant communities.
Behdzi Ahda First Nation
Representing the people of Colville Lake, maintaining traditional ways of life in one of the most northern communities in the Sahtu.
K’asho Got’ine Dene Band
The Fort Good Hope Dene Community Council, stewards of the Mackenzie River and protectors of ancestral lands.
K’asho Got’ine Dene Band
The Fort Good Hope Dene Community Council, stewards of the Mackenzie River and protectors of ancestral lands.
Tulita Dene Band
Located where the Great Bear River meets the Mackenzie, a community of deep history and strategic importance to the region.
Leadership & Representatives
Our leadership team brings together decades of experience in community governance and traditional knowledge.
Grand Chief
Chairperson of the Council
Enquiries: isets.sdc@sahtu.ca
Executive Director
Operations & Strategy
Contact: 867-589-3020
ISET Coordinator
Skills & Employment Training
Email: isets.sdc@sahtu.ca
Financial Officer
Budgeting & Accountability
Phone: 867-589-3020
Lands Manager
Resource Management
Governance Inquiry Point
Policy Analyst
Legislative Affairs
General Enquiries
Our Mission
To protect and enhance the inherent rights, culture, and lands of the Sahtu Dene through unified governance and sustainable community development.
Our Vision
A future where the Sahtu Dene people thrive in self-sufficient, healthy communities that are deeply rooted in traditional laws and ancestral wisdom.
Our Values
Respect for the Land, Elder Guidance, Community Unity, Transparency in Governance, and the Preservation of the Dene Language.
Impact & Outcomes
Measurable progress in our mission to serve the Sahtu peoples.
4Member Nations
250+ISET Participants
100%Regional Representation
15+Annual Programs
867Direct Line Support
UnlimitedCultural Dedication
Community Engagement Process
01
Initial Consultation
Gathering input from community members and leadership on specific local needs.
02
Collaborative Planning
Developing regional strategies that align with individual tribal priorities.
03
Implementation
Executing programs and services with direct community involvement.
04
Review & Refine
Continuous feedback loop to ensure outcomes meet cultural and social goals.