| Country | Canada |
|---|---|
| Province | Saskatchewan |
| Census division | 15 |
| Rural Municipality | Kinistino |
| Mayor | Howard Tarry |
| Administrator | Shelley L. Holmes |
| Governing body | Weldon Village Council[1] |
| Post office Founded | 1895 |
| Area total | 1.00 km² |
| Population as of | 2021 |
| Population total | 160 |
| Population density | 160 km² |
| Time zone | CST (UTC−6) |
| Coordinates | 53°00′N 105°08′W |
| Postal code | S0J 3A0 |
| Area code | 306 |
| Highways | Highway 682 |
Weldon (2016 population: ) is a village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within the Rural Municipality of Kinistino No. 459 and Census Division No. 15. The area is part of the aspen parkland biome. The village is located 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Highway 3 at the midway point between the cities of Prince Albert and Melfort, Saskatchewan. The village is just 20 km (12 mi) south of the Weldon Ferry linking it to Highway 302 and is often used as an access point to the historic Saskatchewan River Forks where the North and South Saskatchewan rivers join just 25 km (16 mi) to the northeast.
History
Weldon incorporated as a village on January 24, 1914.[2]
2022 stabbings
On the morning of Sunday, 4 September 2022, multiple people were stabbed in Weldon and the nearby James Smith Cree Nation. A total of 11 people were killed, and 17[3] others were injured. One of the two initial suspects, Damien Sanderson was found dead the next day. The second suspect, Myles Sanderson was captured on September 7, but died while in custody.[4] On October 6, the RCMP said there was evidence that Myles was solely responsible for all eleven homicides, including Damien's.[5]
Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Weldon had a population of 160 living in 68 of its 77 total private dwellings, a change of -18.78% from its 2016 population of 197. With a land area of 1 km2 (0.39 sq mi), it had a population density of in 2021.[6]
In the 2016 Census of Population, the Village of Weldon recorded a population of living in of its total private dwellings, a 0.51% change from its 2011 population of . With a land area of 1.1 km2 (0.42 sq mi), it had a population density of in 2016.[7]
Attractions
The village has a seniors citizens lodge, a seniors club, a riding club, a winter recreation centre, an auditorium/gymnasium complex, a public library, a furnished summer sports field and worship centres for one denomination as well as a non-denominational assembly. The community is known for its old growth tree-lined streets and the natural environment of the farmland in the parkland region.[citation needed]
Many of the residents trace their lineage back to Norwegian settlers who first established the community just after the turn of the 20th century. Weldon's senior residents hold strong links to their roots in Norway and every May 17 a large "Syttende Mai" celebration is a significant cultural event in the village. The village's population grew fivefold during its 2005 Homecoming Celebrations held during the Canada Day weekend.
The Weldon Grain Elevators have garnered attention from the online community of the video game Team Fortress 2 due to their resemblance to the map 2Fort.[citation needed]
See also
- List of communities in Saskatchewan
- List of francophone communities in Saskatchewan
- Villages of Saskatchewan
References
- ^ "Village of WELDON". www.municipal.gov.sk.ca
- ^ "Urban Municipality Incorporations". Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations. Archived October 15, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
- ^ "A timeline of the deadly stabbing rampage at James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan". The Star. April 27, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
- ^ "Sask. RCMP suspect dangerous persons in Regina after multiple stabbings in James Smith Cree Nation, Weldon". CBC News. 2022-09-04. Archived 2022-09-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-09-04.
- ^ "Myles Sanderson responsible for all 11 Sask. stabbing deaths: RCMP". CTV News Regina. 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2022-10-06.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Saskatchewan". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Archived September 5, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 1, 2022.
- ^ "Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Saskatchewan)". Statistics Canada. February 8, 2017. Archived June 9, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 30, 2020.