{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2016}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Fort McKay | other_name = Fort MacKay | native_name = | nickname = | settlement_type = Indigenous settlement and hamlet | motto = | image_skyline = FortMacKay.jpg | imagesize = | image_caption = Aerial view of Fort McKay | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_shield = | shield_size = | pushpin_map = Canada Alberta | pushpin_map_caption = Location of Fort McKay in Alberta | pushpin_mapsize = 250 | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Canada | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Alberta | subdivision_type2 = Census division | subdivision_name2 = No. 16 | subdivision_type3 = Specialized municipality | subdivision_name3 = RM of Wood Buffalo | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = {{Wood Buffalo Municipal Council|mayor}} | leader_title1 = Governing body | leader_name1 = {{Wood Buffalo Municipal Council}} | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | established_title = | established_date = | established_title2 = Established | established_date2 = 1820<ref name="dates">{{cite web|title=1820 to Present Discovery and Growth|url=http://fortmckay.com/about/|website=Fort McKay - About us|publisher=Fort McKay First Nation|access-date=May 7, 2016}}</ref> | established_title3 = Named | established_date3 = 1912<ref name="dates"/> | unit_pref = | area_footnotes = <ref name=2016censusABmunis/> | area_total_km2 = 9.53 | population_as_of = 2016 | population_footnotes = <ref name=2016censusABmunis/> | population_note = | population_total = 742 | population_density_km2 = 77.9 | population_blank1_title = | population_blank1 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = | population_density_blank1_sq_mi = | timezone = MST | utc_offset = -7 | timezone_DST = MDT | utc_offset_DST = -6 | coordinates = {{coord|57|10|52|N|111|35|59|W|region:CA-AB_source:http://www4.rncan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique/IAFFF|display=inline,title}} | elevation_m = 260 | elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use<ref></ref> tags--> | postal_code_type = Postal code span | postal_code = T0P | area_codes = 780, 587, 825 | blank_name = Highways | blank_info = Highway 63 | blank1_name = Waterways | blank1_info = Athabasca River | website = [http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/ RM of Wood Buffalo] }} '''Fort McKay''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|k|aɪ}} {{respell|mə|KY}})<ref name=changed>{{cite news |last=Condon |first=Olivia |title=F'Spirit of reconciliation' at council's Fort McKay meeting |url=http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2018/01/24/spirit-of-reconciliation-at-councils-fort-mckay-meeting |access-date=February 7, 2018 |agency=Fort McMurray Today |publisher=Postmedia Network |date=January 23, 2018 |archive-date=February 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208064254/http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2018/01/24/spirit-of-reconciliation-at-councils-fort-mckay-meeting |url-status=dead }}</ref> or '''Fort MacKay''' is a community in northeast Alberta, Canada, located at the confluence of the Athabasca and MacKay rivers. It is approximately {{convert|54|km|abbr=on}} north of Fort McMurray via Highway 63 and Fort McKay Road. The community has an elevation of {{convert|260|m|abbr=on}}.
The majority of the community is an Indian settlement of the Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN). The smaller portion of the community, known as Fort MacKay before 2018, is located adjacent to the FMFN lands to the south within the Regional Municipality (RM) of Wood Buffalo. The portion of the community within the RM of Wood Buffalo is designated as a hamlet.<ref name=AMA>{{AltaML}}</ref><ref name=RMWB>{{cite web | url=http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/Living_2227/Communities/Fort-MacKay.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224165938/http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/Living_2227/Communities/Fort-MacKay.htm | archive-date=December 24, 2013 | title=Fort MacKay | publisher=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo | access-date=May 13, 2011}}</ref><ref name=FMFN>{{cite web | url=http://www.fortmckay.com/ | title=About Fort McKay | publisher=Fort McKay First Nation | access-date=May 13, 2011}}</ref>
== History == {{stack|thumb|left|Fort McKay First Nation's welcome sign for the community}} The community was named in 1912, after Dr. Williams Morrison MacKay, the first president of the Northern Alberta Medical Association.<ref name=RMWB/><ref name=FMFN/> The community's name is spelled ''Fort McKay'' by the Fort McKay First Nation.<ref name=FMFN/> In August 2012, the Fort McKay Métis Community requested the RM of Wood Buffalo to change the name of the hamlet to ''Fort McKay''.<ref name="namechange">{{cite web|title=Council Meeting Request|url=http://woodbuffalo.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/cache/2/1vuapib31wre52mwksmtnw45/1148505072016065902341.PDF|website=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo|access-date=May 8, 2016|date=August 28, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref name="Approved Minute">{{cite web|title=Approved Minutes of a Meeting of the Council of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo|url=http://woodbuffalo.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=117&doctype=MINUTES|website=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo|access-date=May 8, 2016|date=August 28, 2012|archive-date=June 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602061134/http://woodbuffalo.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=117&doctype=MINUTES|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Fort MacKay requests name change">{{cite news|last1=McDermott|first1=Vincent|title=Fort MacKay requests name change|url=http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2012/08/28/fort-mackay-requests-name-change|access-date=May 8, 2016|agency=Fort McMurray Today|publisher=Postmedia Network|date=August 28, 2012|archive-date=May 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520163810/http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2012/08/28/fort-mackay-requests-name-change|url-status=dead}}</ref> The change was recognized by the RM on January 22, 2018.<ref name=changed/>
;2016 wildfire Fort McKay hosted 5000 evacuees from the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfire but the hamlet itself was put under an evacuation notice due to the northward advance of the flames toward the community.<ref name="Voluntary Evacuation">{{cite news|last1=Bird|first1=Cullen|title=Fort McKay under voluntary evacuation order as wildfire size expected to double|url=http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2016/05/07/fort-mckay-under-voluntary-evacuation-order-as-wildfire-size-expected-to-double|access-date=May 7, 2016|agency=Fort McMurray Today|publisher=Postmedia Network|date=May 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508112130/http://www.fortmcmurraytoday.com/2016/05/07/fort-mckay-under-voluntary-evacuation-order-as-wildfire-size-expected-to-double|archive-date=May 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="FortMacKayevc">{{cite news|title=Fort McKay First Nation welcomed 5,000 people at wildfire evacuation's peak|url=http://aptn.ca/news/2016/05/06/fort-mckay-first-nation-welcomed-5000-people-at-wildfire-evacuations-peak/|access-date=May 7, 2016|agency=Aboriginal Peoples Television Network|publisher=Aboriginal Peoples Television Network|archive-date=June 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602130458/http://aptn.ca/news/2016/05/06/fort-mckay-first-nation-welcomed-5000-people-at-wildfire-evacuations-peak/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
== Geography == ;Climate Fort McKay has a subarctic climate (Köppen climate classification ''Dfc'').<ref name="climatregion">{{cite web|title=Climate Regions |url=http://ftp2.cits.rncan.gc.ca/pub/geott/atlas/archives/english/3rdedition/environment/climate/030.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909022911/http://ftp2.cits.rncan.gc.ca/pub/geott/atlas/archives/english/3rdedition/environment/climate/030.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 9, 2015 |website=Archives - Environment Canada |publisher=Environment Canada |access-date=May 7, 2016 }}</ref> and falls into the NRC Plant Hardiness Zone 3a.<ref name="Canadian Plant Hardiness Zones">{{cite web|title=Plant Hardiness Zone by Municipality|url=http://www.planthardiness.gc.ca/?m=22&lang=en&prov=Alberta&val=E|website=Natural Resources Canada|publisher=Government of Canada|access-date=May 7, 2016}}</ref> Summers are mild and short, and winters can be long and cold.
== Demographics == {{stack|{{Historical populations |title = Population history<br>of Fort MacKay<br>Indian settlement |type = Canada |align = left |width = |state = |shading = |percentages = |footnote = Sources: Statistics Canada, 1991–2016 censuses<ref name=2011census>{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4816859&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Fort%20Mackay&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=&TABID=1 | title=Census Profile – Fort Mackay, S-E, Alberta (Census subdivision) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=May 2, 2015 | access-date=May 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name=1996census>{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census96/data/profiles/Rp-eng.cfm?TABID=2&LANG=E&APATH=3&DETAIL=0&DIM=0&FL=A&FREE=0&GC=0&GK=0&GRP=1&PID=35782&PRID=0&PTYPE=3&S=0&SHOWALL=0&SUB=0&Temporal=1996&THEME=34&VID=0&VNAMEE=&VNAMEF= | title=Electronic Area Profiles: Profile of Census Divisions and Subdivisions, 1996 Census – Fort Mackay, S-E | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=December 23, 2013 | access-date=May 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name=2001census>{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4816859&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=fort_mackay&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= | title=Community Highlights for Fort Mackay | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=August 26, 2013 | access-date=May 8, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref name=2006census>{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/prof/92-591/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=4816859&Geo2=PR&Code2=48&Data=Count&SearchText=fort_mackay&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom= | title=2006 Community Profiles – Fort Mackay, Alberta (Indian settlement) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=January 5, 2015 | access-date=May 8, 2016}}</ref><ref name=2016censusABmunis/> |1991|256 |1996|347 |2001|437 |2006|521 |2011|562 |2016|742 }}}}
;Settlement In the 2016 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, the Fort McKay settlement recorded a population of 742 living in 250 of its 303 total private dwellings, a {{percentage|{{#expr:742-562}}|562|1}} change from its 2011 population of 562. With a land area of {{convert|9.53|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|742|9.53|km2|sqmi|prec=1}} in 2016.<ref name=2016censusABmunis>{{cite web | url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=48 | title=Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Alberta) | publisher=Statistics Canada | date=February 8, 2017 | access-date=February 8, 2017}}</ref>
In the 2011 Census, the Fort McKay settlement had a population of 562 living in 201 of its 235 total dwellings, a 7.9% change from its 2006 population of 521. With a land area of {{convert|8.17|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it had a population density of {{Pop density|562|8.17|km2|sqmi}} in 2011.<ref name=2011census/>
;Hamlet The population of the hamlet portion of Fort McKay according to the 2018 municipal census conducted by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is 59,<ref name=2018WoodBuffalo>{{cite web | url=http://www.rmwb.ca/Assets/Departments/Planning+and+Development/Planning+$!26+Development+Documents/Census+Report+2018.pdf | title=census2018 Municipal Census Report | publisher=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo | access-date=September 25, 2021 | archive-date=September 10, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910173454/https://www.rmwb.ca/Assets/Departments/Planning+and+Development/Planning+$!26+Development+Documents/Census+Report+2018.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> an increase from its 2015 municipal census population count of 51.<ref name=woodbuffalo>{{cite web | url=http://www.rmwb.ca/News-Room/Media-Releases/Province-Approves-2015-Municipal-Census-Figures_s2_p5313.htm | title=Province Approves 2015 Municipal Census Figures | publisher=Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo | date=February 23, 2016 | access-date=May 8, 2016 | archive-date=May 5, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505004529/http://www.rmwb.ca/News-Room/Media-Releases/Province-Approves-2015-Municipal-Census-Figures_s2_p5313.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref>
== Economy == The economy is centred on the development of the Athabasca oil sands to the immediate south and north. Motorists travelling north on Highway 63 pass through oil sands developments en route to the community.
== Government == The community is located in the federal riding of Fort McMurray—Cold Lake. <mapframe text="Fort McKay, Alberta" width=250 height=250 zoom=8 latitude=57.1811111 longitude=-111.5997222/>
== Infrastructure == The community is located {{convert|6|km|abbr=on}} north of Highway 63 via Fort McKay Road, and is served by air at the Fort MacKay/Horizon Airport.
== See also == *List of communities in Alberta *List of hamlets in Alberta
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == {{Commons category}} *[http://fortmckay.com/ Fort McKay] {{Geographic location | Centre = Fort McKay | North = Fort Chipewyan | Northeast = | East = Saskatchewan | Southeast = La Loche | South = Fort McMurray | Southwest = Wabasca | West = | Northwest = Wood Buffalo National Park }} {{Alberta|hamlets=yes}} {{First Nations in Alberta}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fort Mckay, Alberta}} Category:Hamlets in Alberta Category:Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo Category:Hudson's Bay Company forts