Fort Good Hope

Fort Good Hope was established in 1805 and is the oldest settlement in the lower Mackenzie River valley, however, it was moved and rebuilt several times until 1839 when the present location was created. Our Lady of Good Hope was built while Father Emile Petitot resided there. In 1931 the oilfield at Norman Wells opened and employment opportunities improved. Today the community's economy is based on traditional activities including hunting and trapping. Oil development in Norman Wells is an alternate source of employment. Local services including taxis, hotels, restaurants, Bed and Breakfast, retail, accounting and such other employment opportunities.

Fort Good Hope is located 145km northwest of Norman Wells and situated on a peninsula between Jackfish Creek and the east bank of the Mackenzie River where the two meet. The population of Fort Good Hope is 579 and North Slavey and English are their main languages used. The traditional name for Fort Good Hope is Radili Ko (rapids).

The community is accessible by air from Inuvik and Norman Wells year round and the bulk supplies and food are barged in during the summer months. In the winter, an ice road connects Fort Good Hope to communities on the Mackenzie highway system.