Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fort Simpson (Slavey language: Liidli Koe "place where rivers come together") is a village in the Dehcho Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The community is located on an island at the confluence of the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers. Both rivers were traditionally trade routes for the Hudson's Bay Company and the native Dene people of the area.

Population is 1,163 according to the 2001 Census, down over 7 percent from the 1996 census (1,257).^[1] The majority of the residents are First Nations.

Fort Simpson is the regional centre of the Dehcho and is the gateway to the scenic Nahanni River. Fort Simpson can be reached by air, water and road and has full secondary and elementary school service. The Mackenzie Highway was extended to Fort Simpson in 1970-71.

The central section of the community is on an island near the south bank of the Mackenzie River, but industrial areas and rural residential areas are located along the highway as far as the airport, just beyond which is the Liard River ferry crossing.

Pope John Paul II attempted to visit the community in September of 1984 as part of his Canadian tour, but was prevented from landing due to fog; in an address over the radio from Yellowknife, he promised to visit in the future. He did so in September 1987 near the end of the tour of the United States, making a side trip to Fort Simpson.

There is also a yearly festival in Fort Simpson known as the "Beavertail Jamboree". At this time, the comunity gets together for many different festivities.^[2]

The Dene of the community are represented by the Liidli Kue First Nation and the Métis by Fort Simpson Metis Local 52. Both groups belong to the Dehcho First Nations.^[3]