Wekweètì, a term derived from the Dogrib language meaning "rock lakes," is a vibrant community nestled in the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. Officially known as the Tłı̨chǫ Community Government of Wekweètì, this aboriginal community is located 195 km north of Yellowknife.
The area of Wekweètì is steeped in history, being within the traditional territory of the Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib) First Nation. It was a popular hunting camp before becoming a permanent settlement. In the 1960s, Dene elders from Behchokǫ̀ decided to return to the land and establish traditional camps in the bush, leading to the establishment of Wekweètì.
The community was formerly known as Snare Lake until 1 November 1998. Before 4 August 2005, the community used the spelling Wekweti. Prior to 2005, the community was unincorporated, with local governance provided by a First Nations band government, Dechi Laot'i First Nations. However, under the terms of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement, most responsibilities of Dechi Laot'i have been transferred to the new Wekweètì Community Government.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Wekweètì had a population of 109 living in 29 of its 55 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -15.5% from its 2016 population of 129. With a land area of 14.71 km2, it had a population density of 7.4/km2 in 2021. The majority of the population are First Nations, and the primary languages spoken are Dogrib and English.
Wekweètì boasts a range of services that cater to the needs of its residents. The Alexis Arrowmaker School, named after one of the signers of Treaty 11, serves as the community's Elementary/Junior School. The community also has a store, the Hozila Naedik'e General Store, a ten-bed hotel/lodge, the Wekweeti Hotel/Snare Lake Lodge, a health centre, and a community learning centre. However, it does not have a Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment.
Wekweètì experiences a subarctic climate, characterized by mild to warm summers with cool nights and long, severely cold winters. This climate adds to the unique charm of this community, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking a blend of tradition and modernity in the heart of Canada's Northwest Territories.
