History of Northwest Territories, Canada

1895 - North-West Territories
North-West Territories, a large possession of the Dominion of Canada, including all that portion of British North America outside the provinces £ Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland. It is bounded on the N. by the Arctic Ocean, on the E. by the Atlantic, on the W. by the Pacific, and on the S. by parts of the Dominion of Canada and the United States, Area, 2,314,808 square miles. Pop. in 1891, 99,722. Hudson's Bay and the district of Keewatin divide it into two portions, of which the eastern is often called East Main. This immense district was, until 1870, known as the Hudson's Bay Territory, and was governed by the Hudson's Bay Company, by whom it was divided into four large departments or regions, subdivided into 33 districts, including 155 posts. The government was administered by a chief governor and council, and the various departments by chief factors and chief traders; but in 1869 the company relinquished... Read MORE...

Gold was first found near Yellowknife in 1898 by a prospector heading for the Klondike Gold Rush in the Yukon.

The Canadian Encyclopedia

Yellowknife's first successful gold mine, the Con Mine, went into production in 1938. Prior to the discovery of gold, the economy of the Yellowknife region was based on the fur trade.

The Canadian Encyclopedia

Yellowknife
Yellowknife, NWT, incorporated as a city in 1970, population 19,569 (2016 c), 19,234 (2011 c). The City of Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories and the territory's only city. It sits on the Canadian Shield, on the north shore of Great Slave Lake, 512 km from the Arctic Circle and approximately 1,513 km north of Edmonton, Alberta. Due to its northerly location, Yellowknife is the Canadian city with the most hours of summer sunshine, averaging 1,030 hours per year. The city and Yellowknife Bay were named after the Yellowknives, a Dene band who lived on the islands of Great Slave's East Arm and travelled as far north as the Arctic coast to obtain copper for knives and other implements. They, in turn, acquired their name from the copper-bladed knives they carried.

Indigenous Peoples
Yellowknife is situated in the territory of the Tlicho (Dogrib), a Dene First Nations people who historically occupied the land between Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake. The Tlicho... Read MORE...

Here are some of the top places to visit and activities to enjoy in the Northwest Territories of Canada:
Yellowknife: Start your journey in the capital city, Yellowknife. Here, you can explore the vibrant arts and culture scene, visit the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre to learn about the history of the region, and take a tour of the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre to get information on all the attractions in the Northwest Territories.

Aurora Viewing: One of the most famous attractions in the Northwest Territories is the Northern Lights. Yellowknife is one of the best places on Earth to witness this natural phenomenon. Head out on a guided tour or venture out on your own to capture the dancing colors of the Aurora Borealis.

Great Slave Lake: This enormous lake offers a wide range of activities, from fishing and kayaking to boating and swimming. It's also a prime location for ice fishing during the winter months. You can rent a cabin along the lake's shore for a truly remote experience.

Nahanni National Park Reserve: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit for... Read MORE...