The City of Yellowknife, in partnership with Extraordinary Yellowknife, is introducing new wayfinding signs across the city to help residents and visitors discover more of Yellowknife's attractions, trails and public spaces.
The first phase includes new directional signs throughout the city and trail signage around Frame Lake, along with replacements for outdated and damaged signs. These improvements are part of a broader effort to create a more consistent, accessible wayfinding system that makes exploring Yellowknife easier.
Featuring Extraordinary Yellowknife branding, the signs use recognizable symbols to help people find their way, regardless of their first language. Select signs also incorporate a beaded floral design, adding a distinctive local element.
“This wayfinding project has been years in the making, and the implementation of the Accommodation Tax has allowed us to bring it to life,” said Donna Lee Demarcke, CEO, Northwest Territories Tourism, representing Extraordinary Yellowknife. “This project will help connect residents and visitors to our trails, local attractions and the stories that make Yellowknife so extraordinary. We're especially proud to incorporate artwork by Yellowknives Dene First Nation member Alice Evans.”
The project builds on the City’s 2019 Wayfinding Strategy and advances the City's 2025–2028 Tourism Strategy, which identifies improved wayfinding as a priority for enhancing the visitor experience and supporting the continued development of Yellowknife's tourism sector.
“As the new Mayor and Council, we are eager to get to work setting direction and priorities for our city. Today, we want to make sure the experience of being here reflects everything our community has to offer,” said Yellowknife Mayor Melissa Syer. “We are pleased to see investment in the connections between our public spaces, local businesses, cultural experiences and natural attractions.”
The rollout will continue in 2027, expanding the wayfinding network with additional trail and park signs, maps along major routes and signage directing people to key destinations. The project also plans updated signage at key visitor arrival points, including Yellowknife Airport, the city's welcome sign, and the Dettah ice road entrance.
The project is funded through Yellowknife's Tourist Accommodation Tax and the Government of the Northwest Territories' Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.
As the City advances this investment in Yellowknife’s visitor experience, the newly sworn-in Council is getting to work on the priorities and decisions that will guide its term. Through orientation sessions with City administration, Council members are undertaking budget planning, receiving departmental briefings and hearing from the Integrity Commissioner. These sessions will help prepare Council for its first Governance and Priorities Committee meeting on November 12, 2026, when members will begin reviewing the draft 2027 Municipal Budget.