Pictured above: The Northern store in Fort Liard, NWT
Our Community Promise
The North West Company Inc. is proud of the active role we play within the communities we serve, striving to make a positive, progressive difference. Our contributions within the community of Fort Liard, NT, are a testament to our commitment.
Modern settlement in Fort Liard began in 1807 when the North West Company established a fur-trading post named the Riviere aux Liards. With a population of 500 residents (according to Statistics Canada’s 2016 Census), the community has been historically governed by a mix of Dene, Métis, and non-Indigenous people. Residents speak South Slavey and English, and the community’s name in South Slavey – Echaot'ıe Kųę – translates to “Place of the people from the land of giants.” Fort Liard is also renowned for its finely crafted birch baskets with porcupine quill works, along with having the rare luxury of warm winter chinooks, thanks to its location on the southern hemisphere. Nahanni Bison can also be occasionally spotted roaming around the township.
The community is located 37 km north of the British Columbia border and is accessible year-round through the Alaska Highway, AKA Highway 7 in NWT, and Highway 77 in BC. Fort Liard is also 290 km southwest of Fort Simpson and 220 km northeast of Fort Nelson. It is also accessible by air through Fort Liard Airport.
Did you know?
North West is proud of the positive impact we have on the community.
1. Employment: We are one of the most prominent employers in Fort Liard, with our Northern store employing 11 individuals. Our commitment to local talent is demonstrated through our workforce consisting of 73% Indigenous employees.*
2. Capital Investment: Northern has made a $353,302 capital investment in the Fort Liard store over a 10-year period.*
3. Annual Economic Impact: Northern is making a positive impact in Fort Liard, with $529,207 annual economic impact in the community.*
Fort Liard’s Northern store Manager, Gregory Wilson, and his team are significant community supporters.
“The community of Fort Liard is my family’s home,” says Wilson. “We are very proud to support Fort Liard in any way we can, whether it be volunteering to help a community function, or taking that early morning phone call to be at the store to provide some much needed items. This was especially the case in recent years because of a previous COVID-19 outbreak in the community, but we’re fully committed to jumping in to lend a helping hand, whenever and wherever needed for the community we care about.”
*For the year ending 2020