Wha Ti, Northwest Territories

Dec 12

The flag of Wha Ti, Northwest Territories, is a powerful symbol representing the community’s identity, culture, and geography. Located on the northernmost edge of Great Slave Lake in Canada’s Northwest Territories, Wha Ti (meaning "Marten Lake") is a small but significant settlement that holds deep cultural ties to the Tlicho people, the Indigenous group of the area. The flag, adopted on July 4, 2000, visually conveys the essence of this unique community.

Wha Ti, formerly known as Lac La Martre, is a remote settlement with a population of 418 people as of 1996. The town is positioned at 63°08'N latitude and 117°06'W longitude, marking it on the far edge of Great Slave Lake. The area is primarily populated by the Tlicho people, who speak both Tlicho and English. Wha Ti belongs to the electoral district of North Slave and the land claim area of Tlicho. The flag was designed as a representation of the community’s identity, drawing on elements that hold cultural and geographical significance.

The flag itself consists of a Canadian pale, with two bands of turquoise on the outer edges and a central white band. This simple yet striking design is rich in symbolism. The turquoise bands represent the surrounding natural environment of Wha Ti—specifically the waters of Great Slave Lake, a vital resource for the people of the community. The color turquoise is often associated with both tranquility and the vitality of water, which plays a central role in the livelihoods and traditions of the people who live in the region.

The white central band is equally significant, as it signifies the snow and ice that dominate the landscape during the long winters. White also symbolizes peace and harmony, which are key values for the Tlicho people and for the broader community of Wha Ti. It creates a balance within the flag, symbolizing both the harsh, pristine beauty of the environment and the peaceful relationships that the community maintains with the land and each other.

At the heart of the flag is a badge, which represents the local identity of Wha Ti. This badge was specifically designed for the flag and includes elements that reflect the Tlicho people's connection to the land and their cultural heritage. It is placed prominently on the white central band, symbolizing Wha Ti’s unique status as a community within the larger Tlicho territory. The badge serves as a reminder of the community’s pride in its Indigenous heritage and its commitment to preserving the traditional ways of life while adapting to modern challenges.