Fort McKay explained
Fort McKay [2] or Fort MacKay is a community in northeast Alberta, Canada, located at the confluence of the Athabasca and MacKay rivers. It is approximately 54km (34miles) north of Fort McMurray via Highway 63 and Fort McKay Road. The community has an elevation of 260m (850feet).
The majority of the community is an Indian settlement of the Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN). The smaller portion of the community, known as Fort MacKay before 2018, is located adjacent to the FMFN lands to the south within the Regional Municipality (RM) of Wood Buffalo. The portion of the community within the RM of Wood Buffalo is designated as a hamlet.[3] [4]
History
The community was named in 1912 after Dr. Williams Morrison MacKay, the first president of the Northern Alberta Medical Association.[3] [4] The community's name is spelled Fort McKay by the Fort McKay First Nation.[4] In August 2012, the Fort McKay Métis Community requested the RM of Wood Buffalo to change the name of the hamlet to Fort McKay.[5] [6] [7] The change was recognized by the RM on January 22, 2018.[2]
- 2016 wildfireFort McKay hosted 5000 evacuees from the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfire but itself was put under an evacuation notice due to the northward advance of the flames toward the community.[8] [9]
Geography
- ClimateFort McKay has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification Dfc).[10] and falls into the NRC Plant Hardiness Zone 3a.[11] Summers are mild and short, and winters can be long and cold.
Demographics
- SettlementIn the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Fort McKay settlement recorded a population of 742 living in 250 of its 303 total private dwellings, a change from its 2011 population of 562. With a land area of 9.53km2, it had a population density of in 2016.[12]
In the 2011 Census, the Fort McKay settlement had a population of 562 living in 201 of its 235 total dwellings, a 7.9% change from its 2006 population of 521. With a land area of 8.17km2, it had a population density of in 2011.
- HamletThe population of the hamlet portion of Fort McKay according to the 2018 municipal census conducted by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is 59,[13] an increase from its 2015 municipal census population count of 51.[14]
Economy
The economy is centred on the development of the Athabasca oil sands to the immediate south and north. Motorists travelling north on Highway 63 pass through oil sands developments en route to the community.
Government
The community is located in the federal riding of Fort McMurray—Cold Lake.
Infrastructure
The community is located 6km (04miles) north of Highway 63 via Fort McKay Road, and is served by air at the Fort MacKay/Horizon Airport.
See also
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: 1820 to Present Discovery and Growth. Fort McKay - About us. Fort McKay First Nation. May 7, 2016.
- News: Condon . Olivia . F'Spirit of reconciliation' at council's Fort McKay meeting . February 7, 2018 . Fort McMurray Today . Postmedia Network . January 23, 2018.
- Web site: Fort MacKay . https://web.archive.org/web/20131224165938/http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/Living_2227/Communities/Fort-MacKay.htm . December 24, 2013 . Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo . May 13, 2011.
- Web site: About Fort McKay . Fort McKay First Nation . May 13, 2011.
- Web site: Council Meeting Request. Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. May 8, 2016. August 28, 2011.
- Web site: Approved Minutes of a Meeting of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. May 8, 2016. August 28, 2012.
- News: McDermott. Vincent. Fort MacKay requests name change. May 8, 2016. Fort McMurray Today. Postmedia Network. August 28, 2012.
- News: Bird. Cullen. Fort McKay under voluntary evacuation order as wildfire size expected to double. May 7, 2016. Fort McMurray Today. Postmedia Network. May 7, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160508112130/http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2016/05/07/fort-mckay-under-voluntary-evacuation-order-as-wildfire-size-expected-to-double. May 8, 2016. dead.
- News: Fort McKay First Nation welcomed 5,000 people at wildfire evacuation's peak. May 7, 2016. Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. June 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160602130458/http://aptn.ca/news/2016/05/06/fort-mckay-first-nation-welcomed-5000-people-at-wildfire-evacuations-peak/. dead.
- Web site: Climate Regions . https://web.archive.org/web/20150909022911/http://ftp2.cits.rncan.gc.ca/pub/geott/atlas/archives/english/3rdedition/environment/climate/030.jpg . dead . September 9, 2015 . Archives - Environment Canada . Environment Canada . May 7, 2016 .
- Web site: Plant Hardiness Zone by Municipality. Natural Resources Canada. Government of Canada. May 7, 2016.
- Web site: Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) . . February 8, 2017 . February 8, 2017.
- Web site: census2018 Municipal Census Report . Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo . September 25, 2021 . September 10, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200910173454/https://www.rmwb.ca/Assets/Departments/Planning+and+Development/Planning+$!26+Development+Documents/Census+Report+2018.pdf . dead .
- Web site: Province Approves 2015 Municipal Census Figures . . February 23, 2016 . May 8, 2016 . May 5, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160505004529/http://www.rmwb.ca/News-Room/Media-Releases/Province-Approves-2015-Municipal-Census-Figures_s2_p5313.htm . dead .
