The far north is a place that captures the imagination. For many people, the north is associated with igloos, dogsleds, or inukshuks, the massive piles of stone used as landmarks for people passing by. While much that symbolizes the north is now confined mainly to tourist shops and museums, northern cities like Yellowknife can still capture the imagination with its rich history and modern feel as an Arctic city in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
History of the Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories has changed considerably over the years. At one time, the term meant everything between Rupertsland, now a corner of the province of Manitoba, and the area that later became British Columbia. When provinces were added to Canada, the Northwest Territories became confined to a smaller but still vast region, and the territory became even smaller with the creation of Nunavut in 1999. According to government statistics, the territory is now 1.17 square kilometres, with only about 40,000 people living in the entire region. About half of the population lives in Yellowknife, the capital city situated on Great Slave Lake, just over 500 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle. With history, culture, and much more to interest visitors, Yellowknife is a good place to include in any tour of the north.
Mining for Gold and Diamonds
Like many northern cities, Yellowknife was built on gold. While much of the gold rush happened further west in the Yukon, Yellowknife had its share of prospectors. Every year, the people celebrate their history with Mining Week, when residents and visitors alike can test their mining skills or participate in the Mine Rescue Competition. After gold mines decreased in importance, diamonds have become a crucial source of income in Yellowknife. At the Diavik Diamond Display and throughout the city, visitors can see how much gold and diamonds have influenced Yellowknife’s development.
Land of the Midnight Sun
More than for its industries, Yellowknife is known for its seasons. Winters are cold and summers prone to mosquitoes and flies, but the most fascinating aspect of the changing seasons is the light. Although Yellowknife receives more daylight year-round than more northerly towns, the contrasts in sunlight between winter and summer are extreme. Statistics indicate that in December, Yellowknife receives an average of 6 hours of sunlight per day, making the cold -40 degree weather feel even more severe.
Despite the cold, winter is an ideal time to experience the northern lights, or aurora borealis. Vivid streaks of green, pink, or occasionally red stretch across the sky on clear nights, lighting up the city in their glow. Even the cold and snow fail to stop people from enjoying winter activities like skiing, skating, driving on the frozen river, or looking for ptarmigan at the nature centre. Even in the cold and darkness, winter can be a wonderful time to see Yellowknife.
The end of winter brings new activities. Golf, hiking, and other activities help people appreciate the better weather as they wait for the Raven Mad Daze, a festival to celebrate the longest day of the year on June 21st. Yellowknife in summer is a flurry of activity, with sports events, live bands playing on the sidewalks, street sales, and much more. Whatever the occasion, the people of Yellowknife are always ready to celebrate.
For a taste of the north, Yellowknife is an ideal place to visit, with its history, culture, and various activities.
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