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 NORTHWEST TERRITORIES CANADA
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 Norman Wells (Le Gohline, "where the oil is") The Sahtu's
trans-
portation hub and largest community overlooks the Mackenzie River near
the place where the Dene saw see-
pages of oil long ago. Alexander Mackenzie
made note of the oil but it was 1919 before petroleum interests first drilled
exploratory wells. By the 1930s, Norman Wells oil was feeding the mining industry at Great Bear Lake, and in WWII the U.S.
military
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built a pipeline to carry Mackenzie Valley crude to Whitehorse. The Canol pipeline was abandoned soon after, but the project is still a magnet for visitors. You can see some relics at the Norman Wells Historical Centre.
Norman Wells has a hotel, inns, B&Bs, a dining lounge and restaurants.
Exciting day trips to explore the wilderness are available by air or on foot. 
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Rae-Edzo (Behcho Ko) is the largest Dogrib com-
munity in the Northwest Territories,
and the gate-
way to vast tracts of Dogrib First Nations territory. Ex-
cellent craftwork, including beaded moccasins and moosehair tuftings are avai- |
lable here. Located just 19 kilometres from Highway 3,
Rae-Edzo is also served by scheduled and charter air services
and by bus from Yellowknife, and has accommodations, a
restaurant and general store.
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Fort McPherson (Tetl'it Zheh, "house above the river") located on the Dempster Highway is a village overlooking the Peel
River in the tradi-
tional lands of the Tetlit Gwich'in. The Hudson's Bay Company built a post |
in 1858, named for its chief trader. Today the community
is a popular stopping-off place for travellers driving the Dempster Highway to Inuvik.
The graveyard at St. Matthew's Church is the final resting place of
the RNWMP's (Royal North West Mounted Police) "Lost Patrol,". There's a hotel, restaurant and general store.
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Fort Providence (Zhahti Kue, "mission house place") is the historic
crossroads where the Mackenzie River begins its journey to the Arctic. Fort Providence
has a fine old church, and is a stronghold of Slavey Dene and Métis
culture. . If you're driving to Yellowknife, this is where |
Highway 3 stops to let the big river pass, and you must cross by ferry.
The ferry is free of charge and operates from approximately mid May to mid November, 6am to midnight. During winter there is an ice road across the Mackenzie, but there are several weeks in spring and early winter when travel across the river by vehicle is not possible. There's a campground, service centre/motel complex
and an inn and store in town.
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Lutsel K'e ("Place of small fish"), a Chipewyan settle-
ment, is the only
community on Great Slave Lake's legen-
dary East Arm. There is good lake trout
fishing here on Great Slave Lake, and tours depart from here as well. Lutsel
K'e receives regular air service from Yellowknife. |
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A quiet stronghold of Chipewyan and Métis culture, Fort Resolution was
esta-
blished in 1786 as a fur-trade centre on the Slave River Delta. Today it's a base
for sport fishing adventures and explorations of Great Slave Lake. Drive here via Highway
6 that detours from Highway 5 |
between Hay River and Fort Smith, or fly-in from Yellowknife. Accommodations include B&Bs
and wilderness cabins.
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Enterprise is an important stop for travellers on the Mackenzie Highway 1,
located 43 km southwest of Hay River. Bus connections, food, fuel and other services
are available. The Hay River Canyon is immediately east of the community. |
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Jean Marie River (Tthek'ehdelj, "water flowing over clay")
offers only basic amenities, but is known for Slavey tradition. It
is located on the banks of the mighty Mackenzie River. Women of the
village make excellent beadwork garments and moosehair tuftings.
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You can reach Jean Marie by an access road from the Mackenzie Highway 1.
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Yellowknife
