Fort Chipewyan and Fort Vermilion Fort Chipewyan, located on the
extreme northwestern tip of Lake Athabasca, is acknowledged as
Alberta’s oldest community. The settlement traces its roots to a
North West Company post built in the area in 1788. During years
of fur trade rivalry, Fort Chipewyan was the centre of the worst
conflicts and most intense rivalry between the North West
Company (NWC) and Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). After the
amalgamation of the two companies, Fort Chipewyan was chosen as
the headquarters for the Athabasca District of the HBC. Fort
Chipewyan is steeped in history. In 1778, Peter Pond built a fur
trading post on the banks of Lake Athabasca and began trading
with the Mikisew Cree (Woodland Cree) and the Denesolene
(Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation). In 1788, Roderick McKenzie
established a post at Old Fort Point for the North West Company.
From then on, the area was a significant stop-over for the fur
trade and northern expeditions. Alexander Mackenzie used the
post as a jumping-off point