North Slave Region

North Slave Region is an administrative area in the Northwest Territories that spans lakes, forests, and Canadian Shield landscapes. The region contains eight communities connected by highways, with Yellowknife serving as the main center.

The region took its current administrative form in the 20th century, emerging from traditional territories of Dene, Inuit, and Métis peoples. This restructuring brought together long-established homelands under one administrative framework.

The eight communities here maintain living connections to their heritage through languages and customs passed down within families. Visitors can observe these traditions in everyday life and local gatherings throughout the region.

Highways 3 and 4 connect the communities, with Yellowknife as the main hub for services and administration. Travelers should plan ahead since infrastructure is limited outside Yellowknife and distances between communities are substantial.

Diamond mining operations have reshaped the local economy since their arrival, creating new jobs and transforming visible parts of the landscape. The industry remains connected to Indigenous land practices and environmental stewardship in the region.