Board Members

Board Composition

The GRRB consists of six members, six alternate members and a chairperson. Each Board member is nominated to serve a term of not more than five years and members can be reappointed. Persons serve on the Board through a nomination and appointment process set out by terms of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (GCLCA 12.8.3):

Nominations
The Gwich’in Tribal Council acts on behalf of the Gwich’in to nominate persons to serve as Board members. Often the GTC nominations to the Board are persons of Gwich’in heritage.
Nominations on behalf of government are made by the Government of the Northwest Territories and by the Government of Canada.
The Board members themselves nominate their Chairperson and must select someone who is a resident of the Gwich’in Settlement Area.
Appointments
All nominations are sent to the Governor in Council and to the Executive Council of the Government of the Northwest Territories, who then jointly make the appointments of GRRB members as Governor in Council appointments. The GRRB describes itself as a co-management body because there is intentionally a balance of appointments from Gwich’in and government nominees: three members and three alternate members of the Board are appointed from nominations made by the Gwich’in and three members and three alternate members are appointed from nominations made by government.
Decision Making
As a body and as individual Board members, the GRRB acts in the public interest independent of member nominating agency or department. Members are not considered to have a conflict of interest simply because they may be public servants or employees of Gwich’in organizations. Having a mix of member appointments from Gwich’in and government nominations provides the diversity and balance needed to allow the Board to make informed decisions.

Board STRUCTURE

GRRB CHAIRPERSON
Name	Expiry Date	Nominating Party
Robert Charlie-Tetlichi	September 14, 2027	GRRB
FULL MEMBER APPOINTMENTS
Name	Expiry Date	Nominating Party
Vacant	August 26, 2024	Federal – ECCC
Vacant	August 26, 2024	Federal – DFO
Margaret Begg	September 24, 2028	GTC
Roger Fraser	June 22, 2027	GNWT
ALTERNATE MEMBER APPOINTMENTS
Name	Expiry Date	Nominating Party
Vacant	August 26, 2024	Federal – DFO
Vacant	August 26, 2024	Federal – DFO
Ashley Ens	September 24, 2028	GTC
Lenora McLeod	February 28, 2029	GTC
Tracy Davison	May 17, 2027	GNWT

GRRB Chairperson – Robert Charlie-Tetlichi

Robert Charlie-Tetlichi was born in Fort McPherson, raised by his parents John Alfred Tetlichi (originally from Old Crow) and Annabella Robert (from Fort McPherson). Robert attended Residential School in Fort McPherson (Fleming Hall) and Inuvik (Stringer Hall). Robert spent his summers at their summer fish camp at Road River, learning traditional skills and conversing mainly in the Gwich’in language. Upon graduation, Robert attended the Adult Vocational Training Center in Fort Smith, taking a course in Basic Electronics. He then joined CN Telecommunications (Northwestel) and worked there as an electronics technician.

Robert has been active as a Councillor for the Inuvik Native Band/Nihtat Gwich’in Council and a Director for the Gwich’in Tribal Council. Robert was the past GRRB Chairperson for over 15 years and was responsible for establishing the office in Inuvik. Robert is currently the Chief of the Inuvik Native Band. Robert would like to see our youth graduate from High School, pursue further studies at a post-secondary institution and return to work for our organizations. Youth should also learn their traditional cultural on-the-land skills. Robert looks forward to working with the Communities and Co-management partners on wildlife, fish and forest management.

Term expiry: September 14, 2027

Canada (ECCC) Full Board Member – Vacant

Term expiry: August 26, 2024

Canada (DFO) Full Board Member – Vacant

Term expiry: June 26, 2024

GTC Full Board Member – Margaret Begg

Margaret Begg

Term expiry: September 24, 2028

GNWT Full Board Member – Roger Fraser

Roger Fraser was born in Fort Smith and grew up in Yellowknife, where he raised six children and has two grandchildren. His mother is the late Mavis McLeod and his father is the late Peter Colin Fraser. His grandparents on his mother’s side were Fred McLeod and Margaret Firth. Great grandparents were John Firth and Margaret Stewart.

After high school, Roger spent the first 20 years working for Back Bay Welding in Yellowknife. Then he decided to further his education and obtained a diploma in Natural Resources from Arctic College. He was hired by the Federal Government as a Fishery Officer and a Forestry and Wildlife Officer for the Territorial government for 27 1/2 years (the last seven and a half years in management). Roger retired a few years ago and started a small business. He has also volunteered for many years with different groups, including: Chair of the North Slave Housing Board, sits on the Aboriginal Advisory Board to the RCMP and Chair for the Yellowknife Gwich’in.

Roger looks forward to serving on the Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board, using his knowledge from his many years as a Forestry/Wildlife Officer and a traditional hunter/trapper to help preserve the renewable resources for many generations to come.

Term expiry: June 22, 2027

Canada Alternate Board Member – Vacant

Term expiry: June 26, 2024

Canada Alternate Board Member – Vacant

Term expiry: June 26, 2024

GNWT Former Full Board Member – Elizabeth Hansen

Elizabeth Hansen The Gwich’in Renewable Resources Board regrets the passing of one of our most valuable Board Members on August 29, 2011.

Liz was a Gwich’in participant and a retired teacher of 33 years. She had been a Board Member since May 2001. She also dedicated her time to various traditional knowledge projects, including the Khaii Luk (Travaillant Lake traditional fishing knowledge) Study.