Fort Resolution, a hamlet in the South Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada, is a place of rich history and stunning natural beauty. Known as Denı́nu Kų́ę́, or "moose island place," this community is nestled at the mouth of the Slave River, on the shores of Great Slave Lake, and at the end of the Fort Resolution Highway (Highway 6).
Established in 1819, Fort Resolution is the oldest documented European community in the Northwest Territories. It played a crucial role in the fur trade's water route north and is recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada. The hamlet is the oldest continuously occupied place in the Northwest Territories with origins in the fur trade and was the principal fur trade post on Great Slave Lake.
Fort Resolution serves as the headquarters of the Deninu Kųę́ First Nation, led by Chief Louis Balsillie. The town offers K-12 schooling at Deninoo School and boasts a hockey arena, community hall, a nursing station, a youth centre, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a bed and breakfast, a 'Northern' general store, a convenience store, one diner, and two gas stations. The Fort Resolution Airport services charter and medivac flights only.
The oldest building in town is the historic Roman Catholic Church, built in the early 19th century. There is also a Protestant church in the hamlet. The beach along Great Slave Lake is a popular spot for summer swimming, bird watching, fishing, or relaxing. Local people engage in fishing, hunting, and trapping year-round.
The nearby site of Pine Point was once a thriving lead mine. However, when the value of lead plummeted in the 1980s, the Pine Point Mine closed, and the township was evacuated. Pine Point houses were sold cheaply, and many of the buildings were then moved to Fort Resolution, including the hockey arena.
Deninoo Days in late August celebrate the beginning of moose hunting season with parades, traditional races, games, and talent competitions. Recreational opportunities include camping, canoeing, and fishing, either self-guided or available through several outfitters. Little Buffalo River Crossing is a nearby territorial park, with historical and natural attractions, accessible by road and featuring a campground with 12 sites.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Fort Resolution had a population of 412 living in 167 of its 223 total private dwellings, a change of -12.3% from its 2016 population of 470. The majority of its population, 430, was listed as Indigenous in 2016, with the majority of townspeople being of Dene (320) and Métis (105) descent. The predominant languages are English, Chipewyan, and Michif.
Fort Resolution is represented by the Deninu Kue First Nation and is part of the Akaitcho Territory Government.
Fort Resolution experiences a subarctic climate (Dfc) with short, mild summers and long, cold winters lasting from October through April. This climate adds to the unique charm of this historic community.
