Living in the NWT

The Place

Welcome to a land of contrast! The Northwest Territories (NWT) is 1.35 million square kilometres of mountains, forests and tundra threaded by wild, clean rivers feeding thousands of pristine lakes. Over 40,000 people, from all walks of life, inhabit this rugged natural beauty.

The NWT is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, and there is no greater haven for those looking to connect with nature.

The diverse landscape ranges from towering mountains and rolling tundra to seacoasts and boreal forests.  

The NWT's treasures include several of Canada's greatest rivers, lakes, and National Parks. Rare wildlife roam free, and millions of birds migrate through the Mackenzie Valley.

Just steps outside our urban centers, you can view rare wildlife species, from white wolves to white whales, and see herds of bison, prowling bears, and caribou by the thousands.

Aboriginal tradition thrives in communities built on a rich fur-trade, exploration and mining heritage. Small and widely scattered, communities and people are linked by roads, rivers and bush airlines that converge in our bustling capital, Yellowknife.

Living amidst one of Canada's most vibrant indigenous culture, you're never far away from the energy and excitement that comes from such unique diversity.

In the crisp winter months, the Territory is transformed into a snowcapped wonderland. You can spend your day snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross country skiing, or snowshoeing.

In summer, there are nearly 24 hours of daylight in which you can enjoy a full range of summer camping, boating, and aquatics activities. You can even golf beneath the midnight sun. 

Tourists come from all over the world to see incredible northern lights dance through the night sky. What is a rare delight in other parts of the country is a regular occurrence here.

The great outdoors beckon! Come experience the Northwest Territories!

A city of just under 20,000 people, Yellowknife offers a variety of recreational facilities including a pool, Racquet Club, three arenas (ice surfaces), a movie theatre, performing arts theatre, curling rink, golf course, cross country ski trails, and a beach.

Snowmobiling, dog sledding, skating, ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding are popular activities during the winter while hiking, camping, kayaking, biking, fishing, and boating are favourite summer favourites. Numerous social groups, organized sports, and arts and music festivals are popular year-round.
 
There are unlimited opportunities for Yellowknifers to be involved in the cultural life of their community. Yellowknife has a thriving theatre and music community, opera at the local movie theatre, and enthusiastic audiences.  

Several major chains as well as small shops and boutiques offer diverse shopping experiences. Cafes, restaurants, and pubs are scattered throughout the city, providing a wide selection of dishes and dining atmospheres.

High speed internet service and cell phone service is available, from a variety of suppliers. 

Politics

The Northwest Territories and Nunavut are the only two jurisdictions in Canada that use consensus government. There are no political parties. The Northwest Territories is governed by a fully elected Legislative Assembly of 19 members who are elected for a four-year term.

The Legislature elects the Premier and a six-member cabinet which is responsible for the operation of the government and the establishment of programs and spending priorities.

Weather

Cultural Activities

Many communities celebrate with carnivals and events throughout the year that offer outdoor games, contests and fun for the whole family. Some of the North’s cultural and festival events include:

Yellowknife:

• Snow King Winter Festival (March)
• Caribou Carnival (March)
• Folk on the Rocks (July)
• Raven Mad Daze (June)
• Midnight Sun Golf Tournament (June)
• Festival of the Midnight Sun (July) 

Fort Smith:

• South Slave Friendship Festival (August)

Hay River:

• Kamba Carnival (March)
• Heritage Days (June)

Inuvik:

• Sunrise Festival (January)
• Muskrat Jamboree (Spring)
• Midnight Madness (June)
• Great Northern Arts Festival (July)

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Quick Facts

Area
1,346,106 sq km (841,316 sq mi). The Northwest Territories is the second largest Canadian Territory — approximately the size of Texas, or of Saskatchewan and Alberta combined.

Hours of Daylight
Hours of sunlight and darkness vary widely with the seasons, becoming more extreme as you travel north. In addition to the stated hours of sunlight, all locations experience additional periods of daylight prior to both sunrise and sunset. Around the Yellowknife area in June and July, it is light enough to fish all night!

On June 21, the Summer Solstice, Yellowknife experiences 20 hours of daylight. In contrast, on December 21, the Winter Solstice, there are 6.5 hours of daylight.

Aboriginal Culture

The first inhabitants of today’s Northwest Territories were the Dene. Ancestors of today’s Dene were small bands of hunters who followed  migrating caribou and other animals into areas near Great Slave Lake, Great Bear Lake and along the Mackenzie River for thousands of years.

The Inuvialuit, who are related to the Inuit of Nunavut and the Inupiat of Alaska, moved into the northern part of the Northwest Territories several hundred years ago. The homeland of the Inuvialuit stretches from the Alaskan border east to Amundsen Gulf and the western edge of the Canadian Arctic Islands. It is a land of rolling tundra and rocky mountains, divided by the Mackenzie River Delta.

The Métis, who were mainly descendants of French or French-Canadian men and Ojibwa or Cree women, worked as canoe men and packers for the Hudson’s Bay and Northwest Companies in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Serving as interpreters, managers, traders, guides and hunters, the Métis were crucial to the survival of the fur traders as they supplied them with trade as well as  food.

The traditions and cultures of the Dene, Inuvialuit, and Métis are still a major part of life in the Northwest Territories today. Aboriginal people make up about half of the population.