Norman Wells, Northwest Territories
Encyclopedia
Norman Wells is the regional centre for the Sahtu Region
of the Northwest Territories
, Canada
. The town
is situated on the north side of the Mackenzie River
and provides a view down the valley of the Franklin and Richardson Mountains
.
the town has a population of 761, which is a decrease of 1.8% from the revised 2001 Census
figure of 775. 300 people identified as aboriginal
, and of these, 165 were First Nations
, 110 were Métis
and 25 were Inuit
. In 2009 the Government of the Northwest Territories reported that the population was 800 with an average yearly growth rate of -0.4 from 1996.
The main languages in the town are North Slavey
and English
.
Of the population, 75.7% is 15 and older, with the median age being 31, slightly less than the NWT averages of 76.1% and 31.2.
was first seen by Alexander MacKenzie during his exploration of the river in 1789 but it was not until 1911 that an oil bearing formation was discovered. Imperial Oil
, a major employer in the town, was established in the area in 1937 with a refinery
built in 1937.
During the Second World War
, Norman Wells was deemed important as a source of oil for military operations in Alaska
and the Yukon
. The Canol Road
and pipeline
project was undertaken to enable the piping of oil to Whitehorse
, with the flow starting in 1944. Although Norman Wells crude
was light and easily flowed at temperatures as low as -62 °C
(-80 °F
), the line did not work well and was shut down shortly after the war ended. The road, which began at Canol Camp across the river, was abandoned. The Canol Heritage Trail
is what remains of the road in the NWT.
The Norman Wells Proven Area Agreement
of 1944 is a partnership between Imperial Oil and the federal government
(administered by the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
) that has lasted to this day. The completion of an oil pipeline from Norman Wells to Zama City resulted in increased activity.
, are currently negotiating self-government powers and recently signed a framework agreement towards a new treaty.
, December to March, that connects with Wrigley and Fort Simpson
. The most common method of travel into Norman Wells is by air via the Norman Wells Airport
and the town is connected with both Yellowknife and Inuvik
. Scheduled flights are provided by Canadian North
and North-Wright Airways
. Beginning in June 2010, First Air
offered a scheduled service into the community. In the summer floatplane
access to the town is possible at the Norman Wells Water Aerodrome
. There is an annual sealift
to the town by Northern Transportation Company Limited
from Hay River
. Other aviation companies that have a presence in the community include Canadian Helicopters
and Sahtu Helicopters.
detachment and a health centre
with three nurses and a dental clinic. There is a branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
and two grocery stores including the Northern
and Rampart Rentals along with four hotels and six restaurants. Norman Wells also has a Liquor Store and currently has the only one in the Sahtu region. Phone service is provided by Northwestel
with cable
or dial up Internet access available. Mobile phone
services are available through NMI Mobility
or Northwestel
's Latitude Wireless service. Former Member of Parliament
for the Western Arctic
, Ethel Blondin-Andrew
, has a consulting service, Mountain Dene Ventures, in the town.
to Grade 12
. Aurora College
has a presence in the community with a community learning centre and a career centre.
with summer lasting for about three months. Although winter temperatures are usually below freezing, every month of the year has seen temperatures above zero. Rainfall averages 166 millimetres (6.54 in) and snowfall 153.4 centimetres (60.39 in). On average, there are 102.5 days, October to April, when the wind chill
is below -30, which indicates that frostbite
may occur within 10 – 30 minutes. There is an average of 44.6 days, November to April, when the wind chill is below -40, which indicates that that frostbite may occur within 5 – 10 minutes.
Sahtu Region
The Sahtu Region is one of five administrative regions in the Northwest Territories in Canada. The region consists of five communities with the regional office situated in Norman Wells. With the exception of Norman Wells the communities are predominately First Nations.-Communities:The Sahtu Region...
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...
. The town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
is situated on the north side of the Mackenzie River
Mackenzie River
The Mackenzie River is the largest river system in Canada. It flows through a vast, isolated region of forest and tundra entirely within the country's Northwest Territories, although its many tributaries reach into four other Canadian provinces and territories...
and provides a view down the valley of the Franklin and Richardson Mountains
Richardson Mountains
The Richardson Mountains are a mountain range located west of the mouth of the Mackenzie River in northern Yukon, Canada. They parallel the northernmost part of the boundary of the Yukon and Northwest Territories....
.
Demographics
According to the 2006 CensusCanada 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 town has a population of 761, which is a decrease of 1.8% from the revised 2001 Census
Canada 2001 Census
The Canada 2001 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 15, 2001. On that day, Statistics Canada attempted to count every person in Canada. The total population count of Canada was 30,007,094. This was a 4% increase over 1996 Census of 28,846,761. In...
figure of 775. 300 people identified as aboriginal
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
, and of these, 165 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...
, 110 were Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
and 25 were Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
. In 2009 the Government of the Northwest Territories reported that the population was 800 with an average yearly growth rate of -0.4 from 1996.
The main languages in the town are North Slavey
Slavey language
Slavey is an Athabaskan language spoken among the Slavey First Nations of Canada in the Northwest Territories where it also has official status....
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
.
Of the population, 75.7% is 15 and older, with the median age being 31, slightly less than the NWT averages of 76.1% and 31.2.
History
OilOil
An oil is any substance that is liquid at ambient temperatures and does not mix with water but may mix with other oils and organic solvents. This general definition includes vegetable oils, volatile essential oils, petrochemical oils, and synthetic oils....
was first seen by Alexander MacKenzie during his exploration of the river in 1789 but it was not until 1911 that an oil bearing formation was discovered. Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil
Imperial Oil Limited is Canada's largest petroleum company. The company is engaged in the exploration, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas. It is controlled by US based ExxonMobil, which owns 69.6% of its stock...
, a major employer in the town, was established in the area in 1937 with a refinery
Oil refinery
An oil refinery or petroleum refinery is an industrial process plant where crude oil is processed and refined into more useful petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt base, heating oil, kerosene, and liquefied petroleum gas...
built in 1937.
During the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Norman Wells was deemed important as a source of oil for military operations in Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and the Yukon
Yukon
Yukon is the westernmost and smallest of Canada's three federal territories. It was named after the Yukon River. The word Yukon means "Great River" in Gwich’in....
. The Canol Road
Canol Road
The Canol Road was part of a project to build a pipeline and a road from Norman Wells, Northwest Territories to Whitehorse, Yukon during World War II. The pipeline no longer exists, but the long Yukon portion of the road is maintained by the Yukon Government during summer months...
and pipeline
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
project was undertaken to enable the piping of oil to Whitehorse
Whitehorse, Yukon
Whitehorse is Yukon's capital and largest city . It was incorporated in 1950 and is located at kilometre 1476 on the Alaska Highway in southern Yukon. Whitehorse's downtown and Riverdale areas occupy both shores of the Yukon River, which originates in British Columbia and meets the Bering Sea in...
, with the flow starting in 1944. Although Norman Wells crude
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
was light and easily flowed at temperatures as low as -62 °C
Celsius
Celsius is a scale and unit of measurement for temperature. It is named after the Swedish astronomer Anders Celsius , who developed a similar temperature scale two years before his death...
(-80 °F
Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit is the temperature scale proposed in 1724 by, and named after, the German physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit . Within this scale, the freezing of water into ice is defined at 32 degrees, while the boiling point of water is defined to be 212 degrees...
), the line did not work well and was shut down shortly after the war ended. The road, which began at Canol Camp across the river, was abandoned. The Canol Heritage Trail
Canol Heritage Trail
The Canol Heritage Trail is a 355 km trail running from Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, through the Mackenzie Mountains, to the Yukon border. Because of its remoteness, length and river crossings, it is considered one of the most challenging trails in Canada...
is what remains of the road in the NWT.
The Norman Wells Proven Area Agreement
Norman Wells Proven Area Agreement
The Norman Wells Proven Area Agreement, signed in 1944 by the federal government and Imperial Oil Limited, grants Imperial Oil the exclusive right and privilege to drill for, mine, win and extract all of the petroleum and natural gas from this field for three terms of 21 years...
of 1944 is a partnership between Imperial Oil and the federal government
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
(administered by the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for policies relating to Aboriginal peoples...
) that has lasted to this day. The completion of an oil pipeline from Norman Wells to Zama City resulted in increased activity.
First Nations
The Norman Wells Metis, an Métis group which is signatory to the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim AgreementSahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement
The Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement, signed in September 1993 by Pauline Browes, then Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Chiefs of the Sahtu First Nations, and the Presidents of the Métis Councils marking the resolution of the Sahtu Dene and Metis claims to...
, are currently negotiating self-government powers and recently signed a framework agreement towards a new treaty.
Transportation
Norman Wells is accessible by navigating the Mackenzie River, in summer, or by driving over the winter ice roadIce road
Ice roads are frozen, human-made structures on the surface of bays, rivers, lakes, or seas in the far north. They link dry land, frozen waterways, portages and winter roads, and are usually remade each winter. Ice roads allow temporary transport to areas with no permanent road access...
, December to March, that connects with Wrigley and Fort Simpson
Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories
Fort Simpson is a village in the Dehcho Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The community is located on an island at the confluence of the Mackenzie and Liard Rivers...
. The most common method of travel into Norman Wells is by air via the Norman Wells Airport
Norman Wells Airport
Norman Wells Airport is located adjacent to Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada.-Airlines and destinations:-Accidents and incidents:...
and the town is connected with both Yellowknife and Inuvik
Inuvik, Northwest Territories
Inuvik is a town in the Northwest Territories of Canada and is the administrative centre for the Inuvik Region.The population as of the 2006 Census was 3,484, but the two previous census counts show wide fluctuations due to economic conditions: 2,894 in 2001 and 3,296 in 1996...
. Scheduled flights are provided by Canadian North
Canadian North
Canadian North Inc. is an airline based in the Northwest Tower in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. It operates scheduled passenger services to major communities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Southern gateways include Edmonton and Ottawa...
and North-Wright Airways
North-Wright Airways
North-Wright Airways is an airline based in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada. It operates commuter services to several communities in the Northwest Territories, as well as charter services...
. Beginning in June 2010, First Air
First Air
Bradley Air Services Limited, operating as First Air, is an airline headquartered in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. It operates services to 30 communities in Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories. The majority of its fleet is available for charters worldwide...
offered a scheduled service into the community. In the summer floatplane
Floatplane
A floatplane is a type of seaplane, with slender pontoons mounted under the fuselage; only the floats of a floatplane normally come into contact with water, with the fuselage remaining above water...
access to the town is possible at the Norman Wells Water Aerodrome
Norman Wells Water Aerodrome
Norman Wells Water Aerodrome , is located south-southeast of Norman Wells, Northwest Territories, Canada on D.O.T. Lake and is open from June until September....
. There is an annual sealift
Sealift
Sealift is a term used predominantly in military logistics and refers to the use of cargo ships for the deployment of military assets, such as weaponry, vehicles, military personnel, and supplies...
to the town by Northern Transportation Company Limited
Northern Transportation Company Limited
Northern Transportation Company Limited is a marine transportation company in the Canadian and American Arctic owned by Norterra, a holding company jointly owned by the Inuvialuit of the Northwest Territories and the Inuit of Nunavut...
from Hay River
Hay River, Northwest Territories
Hay River , known as "the Hub of the North," is a town in the Northwest Territories, Canada, located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, at the mouth of the Hay River. The town is separated into two sections, a new town and an old town with the Hay River Airport between them...
. Other aviation companies that have a presence in the community include Canadian Helicopters
CHC Helicopter
CHC Helicopter is one of the world’s largest helicopter services company specializing in: Transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms; Civilian search and rescue services; Helicopter maintenance repair and overhaul...
and Sahtu Helicopters.
Services
Services include a three member Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
detachment and a health centre
Clinic
A clinic is a health care facility that is primarily devoted to the care of outpatients...
with three nurses and a dental clinic. There is a branch of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce is one of Canada's chartered banks, fifth largest by deposits. The bank is headquartered at Commerce Court in Toronto, Ontario. CIBC's Institution Number is 010, and its SWIFT code is CIBCCATT....
and two grocery stores including the Northern
The North West Company
The North West Company is a grocery and merchandise store in remote communities across northern Canada and Alaska. Through its subsidiary, Cost-U-Less stores it also operates in the US territories of Guam, The CNMI, and American Samoa and in the Caribbean....
and Rampart Rentals along with four hotels and six restaurants. Norman Wells also has a Liquor Store and currently has the only one in the Sahtu region. Phone service is provided by Northwestel
Northwestel
Northwestel Inc. is the incumbent local exchange carrier and long distance carrier in Northern Canada. The company name is a portmanteau, sometimes spelled NorthwesTel, for Northwest Telecommunications.-Modern corporate history:...
with cable
Cable
A cable is two or more wires running side by side and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly. In mechanics cables, otherwise known as wire ropes, are used for lifting, hauling and towing or conveying force through tension. In electrical engineering cables are used to carry...
or dial up Internet access available. Mobile phone
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
services are available through NMI Mobility
Bell Mobility
Bell Mobility is a CDMA and HSPA+ based wireless network and the division of Bell Canada which sells wireless services in Canada...
or Northwestel
Northwestel
Northwestel Inc. is the incumbent local exchange carrier and long distance carrier in Northern Canada. The company name is a portmanteau, sometimes spelled NorthwesTel, for Northwest Telecommunications.-Modern corporate history:...
's Latitude Wireless service. Former Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for the Western Arctic
Western Arctic
Western Arctic is a federal electoral district and senate division in Northwest Territories, Canada, that has been represented in the Canadian House of Commons since 1979....
, Ethel Blondin-Andrew
Ethel Blondin-Andrew
Ethel Dorothy Blondin-Andrew, PC is a Canadian politician.Blondin-Andrew is a Dene who was the Member of Parliament for the district of Western Arctic in the Northwest Territories...
, has a consulting service, Mountain Dene Ventures, in the town.
Education
The community is part of the Sahtu Divisional Education Council and they operate, through the Norman Wells District Education Authority, the "Mackenzie Mountain School". The school, which has an enrollment of 150, provides education from KindergartenKindergarten
A kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
to Grade 12
Twelfth grade
Twelfth grade or Senior year, or Grade Twelve, are the North American names for the final year of secondary school. In most countries students then graduate at age 17 or 18. In some countries, there is a thirteenth grade, while other countries do not have a 12th grade/year at all...
. Aurora College
Aurora College
Aurora College, formerly Arctic College, is a college in the Northwest Territories, Canada with campuses in Inuvik, Fort Smith and Yellowknife. They have learning centres in 23 communities in the NWT. The head office for Aurora College is located in Fort Smith.-Mission:*Aurora College is dedicated...
has a presence in the community with a community learning centre and a career centre.
Climate
Norman Wells has a subarctic climateSubarctic climate
The subarctic climate is a climate characterized by long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers. It is found on large landmasses, away from the moderating effects of an ocean, generally at latitudes from 50° to 70°N poleward of the humid continental climates...
with summer lasting for about three months. Although winter temperatures are usually below freezing, every month of the year has seen temperatures above zero. Rainfall averages 166 millimetres (6.54 in) and snowfall 153.4 centimetres (60.39 in). On average, there are 102.5 days, October to April, when the wind chill
Wind chill
Wind chill is the felt air temperature on exposed skin due to wind. The wind chill temperature is always lower than the air temperature, and the windchill is undefined at the higher temps...
is below -30, which indicates that frostbite
Frostbite
Frostbite is the medical condition where localized damage is caused to skin and other tissues due to extreme cold. Frostbite is most likely to happen in body parts farthest from the heart and those with large exposed areas...
may occur within 10 – 30 minutes. There is an average of 44.6 days, November to April, when the wind chill is below -40, which indicates that that frostbite may occur within 5 – 10 minutes.
External links
- NormanWells.com
- 1920 The Discovery of Oil NWT Historical Timeline, Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre