Wrigley, Northwest Territories


Wrigley is a "Designated Authority" in the Dehcho Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada. The Slavey Dene community is located on the east bank of the Mackenzie River, just below its confluence with the Wrigley River and about northwest of Yellowknife.
Originally situated at Fort Wrigley, downstream, the community relocated to its present location in 1965, in part because it was more easily accessible due to the World War II era Wrigley Airport built for the Canol Project and also due to the swampy nature of the land around Fort Wrigley. Today the community can be reached via the Mackenzie Highway. The population continues to maintain a traditional lifestyle, trapping, hunting, and fishing.
The community was named for Joseph Wrigley who was the Hudson's Bay Company Chief Commissioner for British North America.
The Franklin Mountains, which are also on the east bank of the Mackenzie River, overlook the community. Cap Mountain,, is the highest peak in the range and is within walking distance of the community. Although not as well known as the Rabbitkettle Hot Springs the Roche qui trempe a l’eau sulphur springs are located downstream of Wrigley.

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Wrigley had a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of. With a land area of, it had a population density of in 2021.
The majority of its 2016 population is First Nations and the predominant languages are North and South Slavey and English.

First Nations

The Dene of the community are represented by the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation and belong to the Dehcho First Nations. The last of the Numbered Treaties, Treaty 11, was signed here 13 July 1921. At that time the Headman was paid $22 and $12 for everybody else.

Services

The community has one store, a health centre and a two-person Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment.

Education

The community has a K-9 school, Chief Julian Yendo School with an enrolment of 24 as of 2018. After completion of grade 9 students go to the Thomas Simpson Secondary School in Fort Simpson.

Climate

Wrigley has a continental subarctic climate. The area combines mild to warm short summers with long and very cold winters. The differences between the coldest and warmest month are rather extreme even by continental standards, with the January high being and the July high being according to Environment and Climate Change Canada. Transitional seasons are rather short.