Enterprise, a quaint hamlet nestled in the South Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada, is a significant junction between the Great Slave Lake and the Alberta border on the Hay River. This article explores the history, demographics, and climate of Enterprise, Northwest Territories, providing a comprehensive guide for potential visitors and history enthusiasts.
The history of Enterprise, Northwest Territories, is deeply intertwined with the completion of the Mackenzie Highway in 1948. This highway, stretching from Grimshaw, Alberta, to Hay River on the shores of Great Slave Lake, led to the establishment of several service stops along its length.
In the winter of 1948/1949, Jack Parnall, a Hay River-based freight operator, opened a service station at the junction of the Mackenzie Highway and the Mills Lake winter road. This road connected to the Mills Lake freight staging area on the Mackenzie River below Fort Providence.
By the late 1950s, the highway extended to Yellowknife on the north side of Great Slave Lake, transforming Enterprise into a crucial junction. The community saw further development with the opening of a Pacific 66 garage by Jerry and Mae Eyford in 1956 and a motel and general store by Sammy Petersen in 1964. Today, Enterprise serves as a service centre for travellers and the base of operations for GNWT highway maintenance in the region.
According to the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Enterprise, Northwest Territories, had a population of 75 living in 33 of its 51 total private dwellings. This figure represented a -29.2% change from its 2016 population of 106. With a land area of 305.58 km2 (117.99 sq mi), the hamlet had a population density of 0.2/km2 (0.6/sq mi) in 2021.
The 2016 Canadian census reported 30 First Nations, 10 Métis, and 10 Inuit residents. Besides English, the main languages spoken in Enterprise are North and South Slavey, Inuinnaqtun (Inuvialuktun), and German.
In 2007, Enterprise, Northwest Territories, filed a petition to change from settlement status to hamlet. This change would grant the council greater powers, allow public voting for mayor, and provide the freedom to set property tax rates. On 27 October 2007, the community was officially incorporated, and Allan Flamand became the first mayor.
Enterprise, Northwest Territories, experiences a subarctic climate (Dfc), with the yearly mean temperature being below zero despite the relatively warm summers around 22 °C (72 °F). This climate situates Enterprise well below the tree line in the boreal forest. Winter average highs are around −20 °C (−4 °F), with lows being −31 °C (−24 °F), typical of the boreal forests north of the prairies.
Enterprise, Northwest Territories, is approximately 40 km (25 mi) away from Hay River, making it a convenient stop for travellers heading to this nearby town.
