Hay River Reserve

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Hay River Reserve (also known as K'atlodeeche/Katl'odeeche First Nation or Hay River Dene 1^[1]) is the only Indian reserve^[2] in Canada's Northwest Territories. Located in the South Slave Region, it is a Slavey community with a population of 269 (100% First Nations) as of the 2001 census.^[1]

Although the Dene had been using the area around the mouth of the Hay River for many years as a fishing site it was not settled until the 1890s when Chief Chiatlo led a group to the site. Later both the Anglican, with a mission school, and the Roman Catholic Church along with trading posts and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrived.^[3] However, the NWT Government says that the first building in the area was the Hudson's Bay Company, followed by the Roman Catholic Mission and then the Anglican Mission.^[4]

The original site was located right at the mouth of the river just east of Vale Island at 60°51′32″N, 115°43′33″W^[5] However, this site was subject to flooding and it was decided to move to a different area.^[3] In 1974 the then chief, Daniel Sonfrere, negotiated a settlement with the Government of Canada and the first reserve in the NWT was formed.^[3]

The reserve covers an area of 52 mi² (135 km²) and claims a band membership of 525 people. and is a member of the Dehcho First Nations.^[6] The reserve is governed by a Band Council, consisting of a Chief and four Councilors, which is elected every two years on "Treaty Day". Along with the Fort Providence Dene Band the reserve operates "Evergreen Forestry Management Ltd."^[7] The reserve also runs the Ehdah Cho Store^[2], "Tu-Cho Gha Contracting"^[8] and the "Nats’jee Keh Treatment Centre".