Colville Lake, Northwest Territories
Encyclopedia
Colville Lake is a settlement corporation located in the Sahtu Region
of the Northwest Territories
, Canada
. The community is located 50 km north of the Arctic Circle, on a lake of the same name
, and is northeast of Norman Wells
.
Population is 126 according to the 2006 Census
, of which the majority are Sahtu
Dene
. In 2009 the Government of the Northwest Territories reported that the population was 147 with an average yearly growth rate of 3.9 from 1996. They are represented by the Behdzi Ahda First Nation and belong to the Sahtu Dene Council
brought Christianity to the area in 1864, organization of the community did not occur until 1962 when a Roman Catholic mission was established.
is home to grayling, trout and pike fish. There is also a small art gallery and museum located next to the lodge. Rounding off the town, there is a Bed and Breakfast and two stores.
Sahtu Region
The Sahtu Region is one of five administrative regions in the Northwest Territories in Canada. The region consists of five communities with the regional office situated in Norman Wells. With the exception of Norman Wells the communities are predominately First Nations.-Communities:The Sahtu Region...
of the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The community is located 50 km north of the Arctic Circle, on a lake of the same name
Colville Lake (Northwest Territories)
Colville Lake is the 20th largest lake in Canada's Northwest Territories. The lake is located 100 km northwest of Great Bear Lake in the Sahtu Region...
, and is northeast of Norman Wells
Norman Wells, Northwest Territories
Norman Wells is the regional centre for the Sahtu Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada...
.
Population is 126 according to the 2006 Census
Canada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
, of which the majority are Sahtu
Sahtu
The Sahtú are an Aboriginal peoples of Canada Dene people living in the vicinity of Great Bear Lake , Northwest Territories, Canada...
Dene
Dene
The Dene are an aboriginal group of First Nations who live in the northern boreal and Arctic regions of Canada. The Dené speak Northern Athabaskan languages. Dene is the common Athabaskan word for "people" . The term "Dene" has two usages...
. In 2009 the Government of the Northwest Territories reported that the population was 147 with an average yearly growth rate of 3.9 from 1996. They are represented by the Behdzi Ahda First Nation and belong to the Sahtu Dene Council
Sahtu Dene Council
The Sahtu Dene Council is a council that represents the Sahtu people of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The council is in negotiations with the Government of Canada for a land claims settlement, the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, for the four Dene communities in the...
Geography and climate
Colville Lake is located 745-air km northwest of Yellowknife. The terrain is characterized by black spruce and tends to be small and sparse. Other vegetation includes mosses, lichens, grasses and alders. The winter months begin in October and last until April. The month of May is considered the spring or breakup period. By the end of May or Early June the lakes and rivers are normally free of ice, although this varies. June, July and August are considered the summer months and temperatures range in the mid twenties. At times the temperature has climbed into the low thirties. By late September, freeze up is well underway again.History
The community of Colville Lake is the ancestral homeland of the Hareskin Dene who still inhabit the area. The Hareskin Dene were never very numerous, with a population of less than one thousand people, living in six or seven bands, at the time of European contact. The Hareskins were a peaceful group, known for their use of small animals such as the arctic hare. Located within the traditional homeland of the North Slave Dene tribe, Colville Lake is a completely traditional community in every sense. Although Father Émile PetitotÉmile Petitot
Father Émile-Fortuné Petitot Father Émile-Fortuné Petitot (also known as Émile-Fortuné-Stanislas-Joseph Petitot) Father Émile-Fortuné Petitot (also known as Émile-Fortuné-Stanislas-Joseph Petitot) (Inuk name, Mitchi Pitchitork Tchikraynarm iyoyé, meaning "Mr...
brought Christianity to the area in 1864, organization of the community did not occur until 1962 when a Roman Catholic mission was established.
Today
Today you can visit the site of the mission Our Lady of the Snows. One main attraction is a fishing lodge. Colville LakeColville Lake (Northwest Territories)
Colville Lake is the 20th largest lake in Canada's Northwest Territories. The lake is located 100 km northwest of Great Bear Lake in the Sahtu Region...
is home to grayling, trout and pike fish. There is also a small art gallery and museum located next to the lodge. Rounding off the town, there is a Bed and Breakfast and two stores.