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Sahtu Region

Coordinates: 65°16′52″N 126°49′53″W / 65.28111°N 126.83139°W / 65.28111; -126.83139 (Sahtu Region centred on Norman Wells)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sahtu Region
Norman Range and Kelly Lake
Norman Range and Kelly Lake
Location within the Northwest Territories
Location within the Northwest Territories
CountryCanada
TerritoryNorthwest Territories
Territorial ridingSahtu
Settlement areaSahtu
Regional office[1]Norman Wells
Population
 (2021)[2]
 • Total
2,259
 • Rank4th NWT
 • % change (from 2016)
−7.7
Time zoneUTC−07:00 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−06:00 (DST)
North Slave Region communities in the Northwest Territories

The Sahtu Region is an administrative region in Canada's Northwest Territories. Coterminous with the settlement region described in the 1993 Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, 41,437 km2 (15,999 sq mi) of the Sahtu is collectively owned by its Indigenous Sahtu (Dene) and Métis inhabitants. Although the region's population is predominantly First Nations, a significant non-Indigenous presence exists in Norman Wells, the regional office,[1] established in 1920 to serve the only producing oilfield in the Canadian Territories. Considered to be of vital strategic importance during World War II in the event of a Japanese invasion of Alaska, the region's petroleum resources were exploited by the United States Army with the Canol Project, but the pipeline never became necessary and ultimately operated for less than one year.

Since the abandonment of the Canol project, development within the region has been more limited than in the rest of the territory. Although plans have long existed for pipelines and highways to parallel the Mackenzie River through the Sahtu en route to the Arctic Ocean, the landmark Mackenzie Valley Pipeline Inquiry recommended that a moratorium be placed on construction until local Indigenous land claims could be settled. To this day, no all-weather roads connect the Sahtu with the rest of Canada, and the contiguous North American pipeline network finds its northernmost terminus at Norman Wells, which was connected to Zama City, Alberta in 1984. Ground transportation is seasonally provided by a network of winter and ice roads, while the abandoned Canol route now forms part of the Trans Canada Trail system.[4]

Etymology

[edit]

Sahtú is the Dene name of Great Bear Lake, the largest lake entirely in Canada, which is entirely contained within the Sahtu Region. The name is also used by the area's First Nations inhabitants to describe themselves and their language, the Sahtú Dene people (historically known as the North Slavey or Hareskins).[5] It has been further adopted by the Sahtu Dene Council and the Sahtu Secretariat, both Indigenous institutions which share administrative responsibilities with the Government of the Northwest Territories within the region.

Communities

[edit]

The Sahtu Region consists of five communities, with no permanent population recorded outside their boundaries. Norman Wells, the regional capital, was founded in the early 20th century in order to exploit local oil deposits and has a majority non-Indigenous population. The other communities of the Sahtu are predominantly First Nations.

Communities of the Sahtu Region
Community Demographics (2021)
Name[6] Governance Census[2] Indigenous population profile[7]
Official Traditional Type[8] Municipality[9] Total Change
(from 2016)
First Nations Métis Inuit Other
Colville Lake K'áhbamı̨́túé Settlement Corporation No 110 -14.7% 105 0 0 0
Délı̨nę Délı̨ne Charter Community Yes 573 7.5% 495 10 10 45
Fort Good Hope Rádeyı̨lı̨kóé Charter Community Yes 507 -1.7% 435 15 10 40
Norman Wells Tłegǫ́htı̨ Town Yes 673 -13.5% 175 80 20 375
Tulita Tulı́t’a Hamlet Yes 396 -17% 320 40 10 30
Historical population
YearPop.±%
20012,527—    
20022,522−0.2%
20032,549+1.1%
20042,576+1.1%
20052,582+0.2%
20062,582+0.0%
20072,583+0.0%
20082,542−1.6%
20092,523−0.7%
YearPop.±%
20102,492−1.2%
20112,427−2.6%
20122,445+0.7%
20132,456+0.4%
20142,479+0.9%
20152,538+2.4%
20162,554+0.6%
20172,545−0.4%
20212,259−11.2%
Sources: NWT Bureau of Statistics (2001 - 2017)[10][2]


Communities of the Sahtu Region

[edit]

Climate

[edit]
Climate data for Délı̨nę (Déline CS)
WMO ID: 71503; coordinates 65°12′31″N 123°26′00″W / 65.20861°N 123.43333°W / 65.20861; -123.43333 (Déline CS); elevation: 212.8 m (698 ft); 1991–2020 normals.[a]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 11.1 5.0 14.3 16.2 24.4 30.8 33.3 32.6 25.4 20.1 3.8 4.0 33.3
Record high °C (°F) 4.0
(39.2)
5.1
(41.2)
14.7
(58.5)
16.3
(61.3)
24.8
(76.6)
30.2
(86.4)
31.4
(88.5)
32.0
(89.6)
24.0
(75.2)
20.8
(69.4)
4.8
(40.6)
5.6
(42.1)
32.0
(89.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −20.6
(−5.1)
−17.9
(−0.2)
−12.8
(9.0)
−2.0
(28.4)
8.4
(47.1)
17.0
(62.6)
19.6
(67.3)
16.8
(62.2)
10.2
(50.4)
−0.3
(31.5)
−11.5
(11.3)
−18.2
(−0.8)
−0.9
(30.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −24.7
(−12.5)
−22.8
(−9.0)
−18.7
(−1.7)
−7.8
(18.0)
3.2
(37.8)
10.7
(51.3)
13.4
(56.1)
11.3
(52.3)
5.5
(41.9)
−3.4
(25.9)
−15.6
(3.9)
−22.3
(−8.1)
−5.9
(21.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −28.8
(−19.8)
−27.6
(−17.7)
−24.5
(−12.1)
−13.8
(7.2)
−2.1
(28.2)
4.4
(39.9)
7.3
(45.1)
6.0
(42.8)
1.0
(33.8)
−6.5
(20.3)
−19.6
(−3.3)
−26.3
(−15.3)
−10.9
(12.4)
Record low °C (°F) −49.1
(−56.4)
−45.9
(−50.6)
−44.1
(−47.4)
−35.0
(−31.0)
−23.3
(−9.9)
−6.9
(19.6)
−1.8
(28.8)
−4.9
(23.2)
−13.3
(8.1)
−29.7
(−21.5)
−37.4
(−35.3)
−43.6
(−46.5)
−49.1
(−56.4)
Record low wind chill −55.9 −53.7 −53.7 −41.7 −30.9 −8.6 −3.2 −8.3 −15.8 −30.8 −44.0 −52.4 −55.9
Average precipitation mm (inches) 11.8
(0.46)
11.7
(0.46)
9.5
(0.37)
11.0
(0.43)
14.7
(0.58)
23.7
(0.93)
40.2
(1.58)
42.9
(1.69)
38.6
(1.52)
31.7
(1.25)
21.6
(0.85)
11.9
(0.47)
269.2
(10.60)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.2
(0.01)
12.7
(0.50)
23.5
(0.93)
39.9
(1.57)
38.5
(1.52)
0.3
(0.01)
0.0
(0.0)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 13.4
(5.3)
16.2
(6.4)
15.1
(5.9)
12.1
(4.8)
3.0
(1.2)
0.3
(0.1)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
2.1
(0.8)
34.5
(13.6)
17.6
(6.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 6.1 8.0 7.6 5.2 6.5 8.5 10.7 12.2 12.3 12.9 10.2 7.8 108.1
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 4.9 8.1 10.5 12.0 0.1 0.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 7.0 8.5 9.0 4.7 1.6 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.9 11.5 9.3
Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) 76.7 70.9 59.9 56.8 55.5 52.5 55.8 62.5 65.7 81.1 83.7 80.5 66.8
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[11]
Climate data for Fort Good Hope (Fort Good Hope Airport)
Climate ID: 2201400; coordinates 66°14′27″N 128°39′03″W / 66.24083°N 128.65083°W / 66.24083; -128.65083 (Fort Good Hope Airport); elevation: 81.4 m (267 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present[12][13][b]; 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1942–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 4.6 1.8 16.1 21.8 30.4 36.0 38.3 35.8 25.0 22.7 4.1 5.1 38.3
Record high °C (°F) 6.7
(44.1)
5.6
(42.1)
16.2
(61.2)
21.8
(71.2)
30.5
(86.9)
35.0
(95.0)
37.4
(99.3)
33.9
(93.0)
28.3
(82.9)
22.1
(71.8)
9.7
(49.5)
5.3
(41.5)
37.4
(99.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −22.7
(−8.9)
−19.1
(−2.4)
−12.8
(9.0)
0.1
(32.2)
11.7
(53.1)
21.3
(70.3)
22.6
(72.7)
19.0
(66.2)
10.6
(51.1)
−1.1
(30.0)
−14.2
(6.4)
−20.1
(−4.2)
−0.4
(31.3)
Daily mean °C (°F) −26.5
(−15.7)
−23.8
(−10.8)
−19.1
(−2.4)
−6.5
(20.3)
5.7
(42.3)
15.3
(59.5)
16.9
(62.4)
13.3
(55.9)
5.8
(42.4)
−4.8
(23.4)
−18.1
(−0.6)
−23.9
(−11.0)
−5.5
(22.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −30.6
(−23.1)
−28.5
(−19.3)
−25.4
(−13.7)
−13.4
(7.9)
−0.4
(31.3)
9.2
(48.6)
11.0
(51.8)
7.8
(46.0)
1.1
(34.0)
−8.4
(16.9)
−22.2
(−8.0)
−28.1
(−18.6)
−10.7
(12.7)
Record low °C (°F) −56.2
(−69.2)
−56.2
(−69.2)
−48.3
(−54.9)
−40.0
(−40.0)
−25.0
(−13.0)
−3.3
(26.1)
−1.1
(30.0)
−5.6
(21.9)
−17.0
(1.4)
−38.0
(−36.4)
−47.2
(−53.0)
−52.2
(−62.0)
−56.2
(−69.2)
Record low wind chill −54.6 −51.2 −49.7 −39.4 −24.0 0.0 0.0 −4.4 −15.5 −31.2 −43.4 −56.4 −56.4
Average precipitation mm (inches) 21.0
(0.83)
19.0
(0.75)
16.1
(0.63)
10.2
(0.40)
14.3
(0.56)
29.6
(1.17)
38.2
(1.50)
41.2
(1.62)
33.0
(1.30)
26.6
(1.05)
22.6
(0.89)
19.7
(0.78)
291.4
(11.47)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
7.3
(0.29)
29.2
(1.15)
38.8
(1.53)
27.7
(1.09)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 19.1
(7.5)
20.3
(8.0)
17.1
(6.7)
5.2
(2.0)
0.1
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
6.4
(2.5)
26.0
(10.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 10.2 10.5 9.4 6.4 5.6 8.1 10.1 11.7 11.0 13.3 12.3 11.4 119.7
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.8 7.1 10.2 9.0 0.0 0.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 8.2 8.8 8.5 2.2 0.07 0.0 0.06 2.1 11.5
Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) 75.4 70.7 56.0 48.7 46.5 40.7 48.7 56.5 65.3 80.8 82.9 78.8 62.6
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[14] (January minimum)[15] (February minimum)

[16] (June maximum)[17] (July maximum)[18]

Climate data for Norman Wells (Norman Wells Airport)
WMO ID: 71043; coordinates 65°16′53″N 126°47′55″W / 65.28139°N 126.79861°W / 65.28139; -126.79861 (Norman Wells Airport); elevation: 72.5 m (238 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1943–present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 12.2 6.3 17.5 20.0 29.7 36.2 37.2 36.0 29.7 19.8 12.2 10.7 37.2
Record high °C (°F) 12.5
(54.5)
7.9
(46.2)
17.8
(64.0)
20.0
(68.0)
31.3
(88.3)
33.5
(92.3)
37.9
(100.2)
34.8
(94.6)
28.7
(83.7)
21.0
(69.8)
13.3
(55.9)
11.1
(52.0)
37.9
(100.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −21.4
(−6.5)
−18.0
(−0.4)
−12.0
(10.4)
0.9
(33.6)
13.0
(55.4)
21.0
(69.8)
22.6
(72.7)
19.1
(66.4)
11.3
(52.3)
−0.5
(31.1)
−13.6
(7.5)
−19.6
(−3.3)
0.2
(32.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −25.4
(−13.7)
−22.8
(−9.0)
−18.2
(−0.8)
−5.3
(22.5)
6.9
(44.4)
15.0
(59.0)
16.8
(62.2)
13.7
(56.7)
6.5
(43.7)
−3.9
(25.0)
−17.4
(0.7)
−23.6
(−10.5)
−4.8
(23.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −29.4
(−20.9)
−27.5
(−17.5)
−24.3
(−11.7)
−11.5
(11.3)
0.8
(33.4)
8.8
(47.8)
10.9
(51.6)
8.2
(46.8)
1.5
(34.7)
−7.2
(19.0)
−21.2
(−6.2)
−27.5
(−17.5)
−9.9
(14.2)
Record low °C (°F) −52.2
(−62.0)
−54.4
(−65.9)
−46.1
(−51.0)
−37.2
(−35.0)
−17.8
(0.0)
−4.3
(24.3)
−1.1
(30.0)
−6.1
(21.0)
−15.7
(3.7)
−31.7
(−25.1)
−42.8
(−45.0)
−47.8
(−54.0)
−54.4
(−65.9)
Record low wind chill −61.7 −60.2 −57.5 −43.8 −25.1 −6.9 −2.2 −9.6 −17.7 −39.9 −52.4 −62.4 −62.4
Average precipitation mm (inches) 18.0
(0.71)
17.2
(0.68)
11.3
(0.44)
11.1
(0.44)
20.5
(0.81)
35.8
(1.41)
49.0
(1.93)
52.5
(2.07)
33.9
(1.33)
23.5
(0.93)
27.2
(1.07)
21.6
(0.85)
321.6
(12.66)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.2
(0.01)
0.0
(0.0)
0.4
(0.02)
1.3
(0.05)
11.6
(0.46)
35.7
(1.41)
46.4
(1.83)
49.1
(1.93)
23.9
(0.94)
3.3
(0.13)
0.1
(0.00)
0.0
(0.0)
171.9
(6.77)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 22.7
(8.9)
21.7
(8.5)
15.8
(6.2)
14.2
(5.6)
7.5
(3.0)
0.4
(0.2)
0.0
(0.0)
0.1
(0.0)
6.4
(2.5)
24.8
(9.8)
27.5
(10.8)
24.8
(9.8)
165.8
(65.3)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 12.8 11.9 10.9 7.4 8.3 10.7 13.5 14.8 13.4 14.2 15.4 14.1 147.3
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 0.17 0.04 0.21 0.92 4.8 9.6 12.0 12.1 9.9 2.5 0.22 0.0 52.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 11.8 11.3 10.5 6.7 3.1 0.16 0.0 0.08 3.3 12.4 13.6 12.4 85.3
Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) 67.1 62.5 53.0 50.8 45.2 44.2 50.2 56.2 61.5 75.3 75.0 69.6 59.2
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (1991-2020 climate normals)[19] (July Maximum temperature)[20]


Notes

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  1. ^ Composite data included from Déline Airport: Climate ID: 22010KA / 2201023; coordinates 65°12′40″N 123°26′11″W / 65.21111°N 123.43639°W / 65.21111; -123.43639 (Déline Airport); elevation: 214.3 m (703 ft)
  2. ^ Composite data from Fort Good Hope Airport: Climate ID: 2201406; coordinates 66°14′26″N 128°39′51″W / 66.24056°N 128.66417°W / 66.24056; -128.66417 (Fort Good Hope Airport); elevation: 81.4 m (267 ft) and Fort Good Hope CS: WMO ID: 71491; coordinates 66°14′32″N 128°38′39″W / 66.24222°N 128.64417°W / 66.24222; -128.64417 (Fort Good Hope CS); elevation: 81.7 m (268 ft)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Sahtu Region
  2. ^ a b c "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2021 and 2016 censuses – 100% data". Statistics Canada. 8 December 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  3. ^ Government of the Northwest Territories. "About Municipal and Community Affairs". Retrieved 17 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Communities Of The Sahtu". The Sahtu Atlas. Sahtu Settlement Region, Northwest Territories: Sahtú Renewable Resources Board. 2024. ISBN 978-0-9737630-0-3. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  5. ^ "An Ancient Heritage". The Sahtu Atlas. Sahtu Settlement Region, Northwest Territories: Sahtú Renewable Resources Board. 2024. ISBN 978-0-9737630-0-3. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  6. ^ "Northwest Territories Official Community Names and Pronunciation Guide". Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Yellowknife: Education, Culture and Employment, Government of the Northwest Territories. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Indigenous Population Profile, 2021 Census of Population". Statistics Canada. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Differences in Community Government Structures" (PDF). Maca.gov.nt.ca. Retrieved 18 December 2014.
  9. ^ "List of municipalities - Northwest Territories". Canada Revenue Agency. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
  10. ^ Population Estimates By Community from the GNWT
  11. ^ "Déline CS". Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 1 October 2024. WMO ID: 71503. Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  12. ^ "Fort Good Hope 2". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 1 October 2024. Climate ID: 2201500. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Fort Good Hope CS". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 1 October 2024. Climate ID: 2201450. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  14. ^ "Fort Good Hope". Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  15. ^ "January 1917 Fort Good Hope 2". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 1 October 2024. Climate ID: 2201500. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  16. ^ "February 1947 Fort Good Hope 2". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 1 October 2024. Climate ID: 2201500. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  17. ^ "June 1911 Fort Good Hope 2". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 1 October 2024. Climate ID: 2201500. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  18. ^ "July 2023 Fort Good Hope CS". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 1 October 2024. Climate ID: 2201450. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  19. ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020 Data - Norman Wells A". Environment and Climate Change Canada. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  20. ^ "Norman Wells Climate". Daily Data Report for July 2023. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 27 June 2024. Climate ID: 2202810. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
[edit]

65°16′52″N 126°49′53″W / 65.28111°N 126.83139°W / 65.28111; -126.83139 (Sahtu Region centred on Norman Wells)