Located in the southwest corner of the Northwest Territories, Fort Simpson sits at the meeting point of two great rivers, Mackenzie and Athabasca, a location that established the area as a significant transportation hub in its early days. An important gathering place for centuries, the Dene Nation calls the region 'Liidli Kue', meaning 'the place where the rivers come together'. Fort Simpson was established in 1803 as a fur trading outpost called 'Fort of the Forks'. The town's history is preserved at Heritage Park and McPherson House. From here, there are views of the Papal Flats—the plot of land where Pope John Paul II celebrated mass in 1987. Fort Simpson has a vibrant arts community, which is celebrated each July at the Open Sky Arts Festival. Accessible by an ice bridge in the winter and by ferry in the summer, Fort Simpson serves as a base for enjoying all area activities, such as hunting, fishing and visiting Nahanni National Park.