Lac La Biche, Alberta

Historic voyageur highway

Lac La Biche was on the historical voyageur route that linked the Athabaskan region to Hudson Bay. David Thompson and George Simpson used the fur trade route via the Beaver River from the main Methye Portage route that reached the Athabasca River. David Thompson was the first known European to record his sojourn on Lac La Biche. Thompson, who referred to the lake as Red Deers Lake, arrived October 4, 1798 and built a trading post, now known as Lac La Biche, and overwintered there. He entered copious notes in his diary on the Nahathaway (the Cree), their customs, traditions, and the Western Forest Land, including the large supply of whitefish and beaver.

"The French-speaking element, mostly from Red River, coalesced around the Oblate mission that was established in 1853. It formed a community that was tightly knit, even though the influence of the church lessened and the trend was towards marrying out and establishing nuclear families. Living was largely off the land; logging and road work provided intermittent wage labour. Many of the adults were trilingual, speaking French and Cree as well as English."

The Hudson's Bay Post at Lac La Biche was looted on April 26, 1885 during the Northwest Rebellion by members of Big Bear's band. Their plan to loot the nearby Roman Catholic Mission was stopped by the local Cree and Métis population. Métis Scrip Records show many residents of the area were awarded scrip by the Government of Canada from 1885 until the 1920s.

The Lac La Biche Mission is now a National Historic Site and Provincial Historic Resource. It was established in 1853 by Oblate missionaries and was the site of one of the first residential schools in Alberta.

Demographics

As a designated place in the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Lac La Biche recorded a population of 2,314 living in 895 of its 1,048 total private dwellings, a change of 2999180000000000000♠−8.2% from its 2011 population of 2,520. With a land area of 6.05 km² (2.34 sq mi), it had a population density of 382.5/km² (990.6/sq mi) in 2016.

Lac La Biche County's 2016 municipal census counted a population of 2,682 in Lac La Biche, a 2999259999999999999♠−7.4% change from the hamlet's 2013 municipal census population of 2,895.

In the 2011 Census, the dissolved Town of Lac La Biche had a population of 2,520 living in 929 of its 1,038 total dwellings, a −8.6% change from its 2006 population of 2,758. With a land area of 6.18 km² (2.39 sq mi), it had a population density of 407.8/km² (1,056.1/sq mi) in 2011.

As a population centre in the 2011 Census, Lac La Biche had a population of 2,544 living in 938 of its 1,047 total dwellings, a −7.8% change from its 2006 population of 2,758. With a land area of 6.2 km² (2.4 sq mi), it had a population density of 410/km² (1,063/sq mi) in 2011.

Economy

The community is supported by the oil patch, logging, forestry, agriculture, and commercial fishing.

Attractions

Lac La Biche is home to the Lac La Biche Golf Course, while numerous lakes and campgrounds provide outdoor recreation opportunities in the area, including Lakeland Provincial Park to the east.

Government

The Hamlet of Lac La Biche comprises Lac La Biche County's Ward 7. Councillors Hajar Haymour and John Nowak represent Ward 7 on Lac La Biche County Council.

Infrastructure

Lac La Biche Airport (YLB) is located 1.5 NM west of Lac La Biche. It features a fully serviced 5,700 ft (1,700 m) by 100 ft (30 m) paved airstrip.

Education

The main campus of Portage College is located in Lac La Biche. The college has an ACAC hockey team named the Portage Voyageurs. The team's first season began in the fall of 2008.

Media

Media outlets serving Lac La Biche and area include the Lac La Biche Post weekly newspaper and the Big Dog 103.5 radio station.