1938: Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories enjoyed somewhat of a boom in 1938 as the result of new gold discoveries and the rapid development of previously discovered claims. Early in September the first gold brick was poured in the Yellowknife River section. By the end of the year about 40 mining and exploration companies were actively engaged in the prospecting and development of the 4,000 claims that have already been staked in the Yellowknife River and Gordon Lake areas. At Pensive Lake, a series of veins extending over a width of 50 feet have been exposed for some 500 feet. Some gold was also discovered at Murray Lake and MacDonald Lake along the Francois River, and — most promising of all — at Thompson Lake. Some radium and silver have also been unearthed some 400 miles north of Yellowknife.

Legislation adopted during the year with the authorization of Charles Camsell, Territorial Commissioner, and the Territorial Council, included regulations for the protection of Eskimo ruins in the Northwest Territories, an ordinance governing the maintenance of children, an ordinance regulating the legal profession, and comprehensive regulations governing pharmacists and druggists.