Fort Simpson (Columbia Department)

Fort Simpson was a fur trading post established by the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) within the Columbia Department. It was strategically located at the confluence of the Liard and Mackenzie Rivers, in what is now the Northwest Territories, Canada. The fort served as a vital hub for trade with Indigenous peoples of the region, primarily the Dene.

Established in 1821 by George Simpson, the Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, the original fort was named Fort of the Forks. It was renamed Fort Simpson shortly thereafter in honour of George Simpson himself. The fort played a crucial role in the HBC's expansion into the Mackenzie River basin and facilitated the exploitation of fur resources, notably beaver, marten, and other valuable pelts.

The fort's significance stemmed from its geographic location. It served as a gateway for traders and explorers accessing the vast Mackenzie River system and its tributaries. Fort Simpson acted as a provisioning centre and transshipment point for goods moving between HBC posts across the region and to/from York Factory on Hudson Bay.

Life at Fort Simpson involved a complex interplay of European and Indigenous cultures. HBC employees, including traders, clerks, and labourers, lived alongside Indigenous families who often provided crucial skills and knowledge related to hunting, trapping, and navigating the environment. Trade was central to the fort's function, with Indigenous peoples exchanging furs for European manufactured goods such as tools, blankets, and firearms.

Over time, Fort Simpson evolved into a significant community. In addition to the trading post, it included residential areas, workshops, and other facilities. The arrival of missionaries in the mid-19th century further transformed the social and cultural landscape of the area. The site continues to be a significant community today known as Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories.