Back Bay Cemetery

Back Bay Cemetery is a burial ground in Yellowknife with approximately 35 graves marked by wooden picket fences situated along the waterfront of Great Slave Lake. The site sits directly beside the water, offering views across the lake and reflecting the location choices of early settlement.

The cemetery was established in 1938 with Art McIntyre's burial and served as the primary burial ground for Yellowknife residents until 1946. During these eight years, it became the main burial place for the developing settlement.

The wooden picket fence markers show how early settlers honored their dead using simple northern traditions that remain visible today. These handmade structures reflect the values and beliefs of Yellowknife's founding community.

The site can be reached by walking trails or by boat, offering different ways to visit depending on the season. The grounds are exposed to weather and water access, so visitors should prepare accordingly.

The creek bank near the cemetery experiences ongoing erosion that gradually uncovers original grave sites over time. This natural shift of the landscape reveals how the Arctic environment constantly reshapes the burial ground.