Wekweeti

The area is within the traditional territory of the Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib) First Nation and was a popular hunting camp prior to permanent settlement. In the 1960s, Dene elders around Behchokǫ̀ decided to return to the land and establish traditional camps in the bush. Wekweètì was established during this time, although in more recent years it too has become a modern community with essential services of its own. The community was formerly known as Snare Lake until 1 November 1998; prior to 4 August 2005 the community name used the spelling Wekweti.

Before 2005, the community was unincorporated, and local governance was provided by a First Nations band government, Dechi Laot'i First Nations. Under the terms of the Tłı̨chǫ Agreement, most responsibilities of Dechi Laot'i have been transferred to a new Wekweètì Community Government. However, Dechi Laot'i is still recognized by the federal government for Indian Act enrollment.

The population was 129 according to the 2016 Census an decrease of 8.5% over the 2011 Census of 141. The majority of the population are First Nations and languages are Dogrib and English.[1] In 2017 the Government of the Northwest Territories reported that the population was 136 with an average yearly growth rate of -0.4% from 2007.[5]

Alexis Arrowmaker School is Wekweètì's Elementary/Junior School and was rebuilt in 1994.[10] The school is named after Alexis Arrowmaker, one of the signers of Treaty 11. The community has a store, Hozila Naedik'e General Store,[11] a ten-bed hotel/lodge, Wekweeti Hotel/Snare Lake Lodge,[12] a health centre, a community learning centre but no Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment.[13]

Wekweeti has a subarctic climate (Dfc) with mild to warm summers with cool nights and long, severely cold winters.

• List of municipalities in the Northwest Territories