Wha Ti, Northwest Territories
Encyclopedia
Whatì officially the Tlicho Community Government of Whatì is a community in the North Slave Region
of the Northwest Territories
, Canada
. Whatì is located by Lac La Martre
, about 164 km (101.9 mi) northwest of the territorial capital of Yellowknife.
As of the 2006 Census
the population was 460, the majority of which were First Nations
. In 2009 the Government of the Northwest Territories reported that the population was 497 with an average yearly growth rate of 1.0 from 1996.
On 1 January 1996, the community officially changed its name from Lac La Martre to the Tłı̨chǫ name "Wha Ti", meaning "Marten Lake," the same meaning as the French and then on 4 August 2005 to the current spelling. Other traditional Tli Cho names for the settlement include Tsoti ('fouled water lake') and Mine Go Kola ('net fishing with houses').
With rich and varied wildlife, the area has long been a favoured hunting ground of the Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib Dene
) people. The North West Company
established a trading post there in 1793, and many natives began settling there permanently, while they continued to hunt and fish in the area.
While trapping, hunting, and fishing continue to be the main economic activities in this traditional community, efforts have been made to develop tourism as well. A fishing lodge was opened, and many tourists come to see the abundant wildlife, including black bears
, Barren-ground Caribou
, Gray Wolves
, and eagle
s. The community takes especial pride in the fact that no alcohol
is allowed there.
Whatì is part of the Tlicho Government
.
North Slave Region
The North Slave Region is one of five administrative regions in the Northwest Territories. The region consists of eight communities with the regional offices situated in Behchoko and Yellowknife. With the exception of Yellowknife the communities are predominately First Nations.-Communities:The...
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...
. Whatì is located by Lac La Martre
Lac La Martre
Lac La Martre, is the third largest lake in the Northwest Territories, Canada. It is located approximately northwest of the territorial capital of Yellowknife.-Fauna:The lake is located on a main north/south bird migration route...
, about 164 km (101.9 mi) northwest of the territorial capital of Yellowknife.
As of 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...
the population was 460, the majority of which were First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
. In 2009 the Government of the Northwest Territories reported that the population was 497 with an average yearly growth rate of 1.0 from 1996.
On 1 January 1996, the community officially changed its name from Lac La Martre to the Tłı̨chǫ name "Wha Ti", meaning "Marten Lake," the same meaning as the French and then on 4 August 2005 to the current spelling. Other traditional Tli Cho names for the settlement include Tsoti ('fouled water lake') and Mine Go Kola ('net fishing with houses').
With rich and varied wildlife, the area has long been a favoured hunting ground of the Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib 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...
) people. The North West Company
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
established a trading post there in 1793, and many natives began settling there permanently, while they continued to hunt and fish in the area.
While trapping, hunting, and fishing continue to be the main economic activities in this traditional community, efforts have been made to develop tourism as well. A fishing lodge was opened, and many tourists come to see the abundant wildlife, including black bears
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
, Barren-ground Caribou
Barren-ground Caribou
Barren-ground Caribou is a subspecies of the caribou that is found mainly in the Canadian territories Nunavut and the Northwest Territories and western Greenland. It sometimes includes the similar porcupine caribou, in which case the barren-ground caribou also is found in Alaska...
, Gray Wolves
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
, and eagle
Eagle
Eagles are members of the bird family Accipitridae, and belong to several genera which are not necessarily closely related to each other. Most of the more than 60 species occur in Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just two species can be found in the United States and Canada, nine more in...
s. The community takes especial pride in the fact that no alcohol
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
is allowed there.
Whatì is part of the Tlicho Government
Tlicho Government
The Tlicho Government is a First Nations organization representing the Tli Cho people of the Northwest Territories, Canada.-Members:*Behchoko*Gameti*Wekweeti*Whatì-External links:*...
.