Recreation, Culture & Social Support Services
Fort Chipewyan Detachment
Fort Chipewyan is a predominately aboriginal isolated northern community situated in the very north east corner of Alberta.
It is physically located on the north shore of Lake Athabasca, and the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. Wood Buffalo National Park covers a huge area to the west and north of Fort Chipewyan. The closest major centre is Fort McMurray, 280 kilometers to the south. Winter roads connect Fort Chipewyan to Fort McMurray from December to March each year. When the winter roads are not available, travel to the community is by aircraft or boat when possible.
The climate change from summer to winter is quite dramatic. The winters are cold, with very short days and long nights. Conversely, the summers can be very warm with very long days and short nights. Most waterways are free of ice and open for boat travel by the end of May.
Fort Chipewyan has approximately 1200 residents in the immediate area, with about 95% being aborginal, who belong to the Mikisew Cree First Nation, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, and the Metis Local.
The First Nations Bands, Northlands School Division, federal, provincial, municipal governments, and the local Northern Store are the largest employers in the community. Many residents work in the oilsands projects in Fort McMurray, and travel back and forth to work in that area. Many also find employment during the summer months as seasonal firefighters for Parks Canada and Alberta Forestry.
The Mikisew Cree First Nation has two reserves close to Fort Chipewyan. The Doghead IR is adjacent to the community, and the Allison Bay IR is approximately five miles to the northeast. They also have other reserve lands throughout the area, including Peace Point, which is on the Peace River near the centre of Wood Buffalo National Park. In the past there were people residing at Peace Point, but currently no one lives there year round.
The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation has reserve lands on the south side of Lake Athabasca.
The community of Fort Fitzgerald near the NWT border is in the Fort Chipewyan Detachment area, and is only a short drive from Fort Smith, NWT. There are only a few occupied residences in Fort Fitzgerald. An arrangement exists between "K" Division RCMP and "G" Division RCMP whereby Fort Smith RCMP will respond to calls in Fort Fitzgerald on behalf of the Fort Chipewyan Detachment.
The communities of Fort Chipewyan and Fort Fitzgerald are both in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
