Yellowknife – Canada
Yellowknife is an active, eclectic and inclusive community, home to 20,000 residents who enjoy an urban lifestyle on the edge of pristine wilderness.
Mayor Ben Hendriksen
Ben Hendriksen
Ben Hendriksen was appointed mayor when previous Mayor Rebecca Alty successfully ran for a seat in the Canadian House of Commons in 2025. Ben, who is originally from Niagara, Ontario, has been living and working in the. North West Territories for many years. He has worked as a senior legislative advisor and senior policy advisor for the government of the North West Territories, and was elected as a city councillor in 2022.
As the capital city of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife is a crossroads for people from across the Northwest Territories and the Canadian and international circumpolar world, and we welcome all people who live, work and visit our community.
The goal of Arctic Mayors’ Forum membership is to have an opportunity to learn from other northern municipalities.
Quick facts
Population
- English name: Yellowknife
- Name local languages: Yellowknife
- Population: 20 340
- Largest metropolitan area: Yellowknife
- Population Yellowknife 20 340
Language and culture
- Traditional territory of: Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the North Slave Metis Alliance
- Languages spoken: English
Work and education
- Mayor industries: Mining, tourism and government
- Higher education: College
Arctic Mayors’ Forum
- Joined: 2023
