Recognized as Alberta's oldest community, Fort Chipewyan is located on the extreme northwestern tip of Lake Athabasca and traces its roots to a NorthWest Company trading post built there in 1788. So important was it to the fur trade, some say second only to Fort William on Lake Superior, that it became known as the “Emporium of the North.” To hold true to the history of Fort Chipewyan, a small museum in the community offers visitors and residents alike an opportunity to view artifacts from the past.
Heavily dependent on air transportation, the community is served by a regional airport and regular Air Mikisew service as well as by charter services. In summer, Fort Chipewyan may be accessed by boat from Fort McMurray and Fort Fitzgerald.
Winter roads link the community to Fort McMurray in the south and Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories. The 280-km trip from Fort McMurray takes only a few hours—unlike in 1924 when the Ryan Brothers hauled mail and freight between Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan with horses and sleighs. That trip, one way, took six days!
Resource industries are the major source of employment for residents, along with government (health, education and social service jobs) and a growing tourism industry linked to nearby Wood Buffalo National Park. The community also has several commercial facilities, including general stores, restaurants, a lodge, bank, bulk fuel station, taxi service, engine repair shop, souvenir shop and charter services. Other facilities are a water treatment plant and a sewage lagoon. Garbage collection and recycling systems are in place.
The community has a local RCMP detachment with five officers, a well-equipped volunteer fire department and ambulance service, as well as medical aid emergency and medi-vac services. Education is also available locally for K to Grade 12.
Fort Chipewyan ranks as the second largest community in the municipality, with a population of 1,012.
