Yellowknife is the capital city of the Northwest Territories (NWT) and is the largest city in the territory. It can be found on the northern shores of Great Slave Lake, 400 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle and a casual 15 hour drive to Edmonton (our next closest office). Yellowknife is named after the local Dene First Nation who historically traded tools made from copper along the Arctic Ocean, thus the name Yellow (copper) knife (tool).
The current City was founded in 1934 after gold deposits were discovered and staked. This ultimately spawned many operating gold mines within the surrounding area as well as the more famous Giant Mine. More recently a new mining rush began in 1991 as diamonds were found 300 km north of the City. Yellowknife has since transformed into a hub of services for these mines and exploration camps.
Although some may find this surprising there are eleven official languages in the NWT. This reflects the diverse population of the Territory. Yellowknife is home to a large number of immigrants, some from outside of Canada but the majority from within! Many people come for the opportunities the city and territory affords them but stay for the endless adventures. Yellowknife is a young city, the median age is 32.6, 8 years younger than the national average according to the National Household Survey. Lastly we can't forget to mention the midnight sun and that Yellowknife receives the most hours of sun of all Canadian cities! Something all Yellowknifers appreciate after a cold winter's night.
In Yellowknife the wilderness is your back yard. A short ten minute drive will bring you to what has been described as "the quietest place on earth." Whether it be winter or summer, the abundance of pristine lakes within easy reach of the big city lights can provide endless hours of entertainment. Swimmers, skiers, snowmobilers, snow-shoers, canoers, and dog-sledders alike will not be disappointed. If you're lucky enough you may even be able to see the Northern Lights dancing over you!
Sports is a huge part of the social fabric of Yellowknife. There is a league or activity for any and all sports. Crowe MacKay plays a part in this by sponsoring many teams including volleyball, soccer, softball, curling and golfing. How could we forget about golf! Played on a sand course in which you carry around a piece of turf to hit your ball off and tee off times starting at midnight!
Crowe MacKay Yellowknife is a full-service accounting firm providing bookkeeping, tax, advisory and audit services to a diverse group of clients. Crowe MacKay Yellowknife provides these services throughout the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. This unique client base creates the opportunity for our staff to work and experience vast parts of Canada seen by few. With clients as far north as the Arctic Ocean, down to the 60th Parallel, and all the way to the shores of Hudson Bay our staff have really seen it all!
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
