Arts, Culture, and Heritage

Arts

Yellowknife is home to a thriving artistic community whose works span a multitude of different styles and traditions. Take a virtual tour of our artistic community!

City Art Collection

The City of Yellowknife Art Collection currently consists of works by these artists:

Yellowknife Arts Links

Transformer & Traffic Light Control Box Program

During the summers of 2016 to 2018, the City of Yellowknife and Northland Utilities partnered in a public art initiative which saw transformer boxes resurfaced by local artists.

View photos of public art and converted transformer boxes here.

For more information, contact communications@yellowknife.ca or 867.669.3424.

Culture

Yellowknife offers plenty of opportunities to experience the north's cultural heritage. Learn about the ancient aboriginal history of the north shore of Great Slave Lake, the fur-trading empire that stretched along the waterways of the 19th century, and the settlers that came to Yellowknife Bay in the mid-1930s in search of precious metals. Experience northern heritage in today's landscape, where old traditions mix with the modern way of life. Today, diamonds are mined from the Canadian Shield while old transportation methods, ice roads and vintage airplanes, still provide service to our communities.

Yellowknife Cultural Links

Bristol Monument

This old airplane introduces the visitor to Yellowknife along Highway #3, near the Airport. It is a Bristol freighter, once operated by Wardair Limited, an early air operator in the community. This very plane was the first the land on skis at the North Pole in 1967. The historic craft was donated to the City of Yellowknife in 1970 and is on display for all to see and appreciate the north's aviation heritage.

Legislative Assembly

The seat of government for the Northwest Territories is located in the capital city of Yellowknife. The Legislative Assembly building is one of the newest legislatures in Canada and one of the most unique, highlighting our consensus style of government and also the traditional values of the people of the territory. The Legislative Assembly is where Members from across the Northwest Territories come together and make decisions on behalf of all Northerners. Tours are available of the facility, where visitors can learn about the unique system of consensus government that sets the Northwest Territories apart. Visit our website for information on tours.

Northern Arts & Cultural Centre (NACC)

The Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) is a 313 seat theatre facility located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. It was built with the help of the publisher of the Globe and Mail newspaper whose fund raising efforts raised monies from varied sources across Canada. It is the only fully equipped live performance theatre in the NWT. NACC is a venue and supporting agency for northern, national and international artists. We operate a variety of programs in communities throughout the NWT on an ongoing basis. From educational workshops to performing artist mentorships, the NACC is a vital part of the community of the Northwest Territories. Visit the NACC website for information on upcoming performances.

North Slave Metis Alliance website

Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre

The Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre is the NWT museum and archives. The museum acquires and manages objects and archival materials that represent the cultures and history of the Northwest Territories, plays a primary role in documenting and providing information about the cultures and history of the NWT, and provides professional museum, archives and cultural resource management services to partner organizations. The museum holds in trust for the public a large collection of objects that represent the peoples and cultures of the NWT, and produces exhibitions that tell stories about the land, people and history. Visit our website for more information on exhibits.

Yellowknives Dene First Nation website

Heritage

The story of Yellowknife is a rich and colourful one. Established as the capital of the Northwest Territories in 1967, Yellowknife has grown from a small collection of tents and wooden shacks, to a diverse and metropolitan city on the shore of Great Slave Lake. From its humble beginnings, Yellowknife has become an important cultural landmark in the territory and is a gateway city to the rest of Canada's North. The City invites you to explore our collective history by clicking on the links below. Should you have any further questions, be sure to contact the Planning and Environment Division.

Heritage Resource Inventory

City Council has designated nine heritage sites and recognized one within the City of Yellowknife. These sites include:

Designated

Recognized

Back Bay
McMeekan Causeway
Peace River Flats
Ragged Ass Road

For more information about the process for requesting Heritage Designation or Restoration, and what it means for your building, please see this info sheet.

A catalogue of historical buildings within Yellowknife was completed in the summer of 2005, updated from time to time. Note that this catalogue contains many buildings which are not formally Recognized or Designated Heritage Resources.

You can find additional information on Designated and Recognized heritage buildings/sites in the Yellowknife Heritage Map and Walking Tours (see below).

Heritage Committee

For more information on the structure, activities, and plans of the Heritage Committee, check out the Heritage Committee page.

Heritage Art

The Heritage Committee has acquired a beautiful collection of heritage art (see the City Art Collection link above). This art is on display at City Hall, the Public Library, and the Multiplex.

Heritage Map & Walking Tours

The Yellowknife Heritage Map provides a brief history of the city, mining, as well as identifying and briefly describing designated heritage sites and other areas of interest. The map is available in hard copy at City Hall. The Heritage Committee has produced a New Town Heritage Walking Tour of Yellowknife brochure and an Old Town Walking Tour of Yellowknife brochure; both of which are available at City Hall. These brochures include directions and background information for designated heritages sites and other sites of historic interest.