Moose Meat Magic: A Taste of the Northwest Territories
- Ginger North
- Apr 12
- 4 min read
#30CanadianFoods: Budget-friendly, easy, flexible & delicious moose stew!
Hearty, Simple, and Northern: Golo Stew from Fort Simpson
Craving something warm, nourishing, and deeply rooted in northern tradition? Let’s head to the Northwest Territories, where the winters are long, the skies go on forever, and comfort food takes center stage. Our feature recipe? Golo Stew — a delicious, easy-to-make moose stew that's also budget-friendly!
This recipe comes from Deborah Stipdonk of Fort Simpson, featured in the 2021 Indigenous Languages Month Recipe Book created by the Government of Northwest Territories. It's a community cookbook celebrating traditional foods and the Inuinnaqtun language, an Inuit language spoken in the NWT. Deborah describes the stew as "delicious, easy to make and cheap," with the flexibility to use seasonal vegetables. It's a hearty meal that keeps bellies full and brings families together.
Indigenous Languages Month is celebrated every February in the NWT and National Indigenous Languages Day in Canada is held every March 31.
👉 New to the #30CanadianFoods challenge or missed a province or two? Start here with the intro post or browse the full series to catch up.
What’s it like in the Northwest Territories, anyway?
Picture this: jagged mountain ranges, crystal-clear lakes the size of entire provinces, and more aurora borealis than your phone can handle. That’s the NWT.
It’s made up of 33 communities spread across three regions, with Yellowknife as the capital. Over 40% of the population is Indigenous — including Dene, Métis, and Inuvialuit peoples — and their traditions shape everything from cuisine to community events.
Want a fun fact? Great Slave Lake, located here, is the deepest lake in North America. At over 600 metres deep, it could swallow the CN Tower with room to spare.
Also: there are more bison than people in some parts. And yes, you might just run into a muskox if you’re out hiking.
Respecting the Roots: First Nations in the NWT
The Northwest Territories is home to some of the oldest living cultures on the continent. From the Tłı̨chǫ to the Sahtu Dene and Gwich’in peoples, traditions around hunting, food gathering, and storytelling are central to life here.
If you’re curious to learn more (and we hope you are), check out these organizations:
Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC) – Showcasing Indigenous performers and artists across the territory. They often have events and workshops that bridge cultures in beautiful, respectful ways. naccnt.ca
Northwest Territories Tourism’s Indigenous Experiences section – A great resource for planning meaningful travel that supports and respects Indigenous communities. spectacularnwt.com
We share this land. Learning from each other is how we grow — and food is one of the best places to start.
If You Visit: Top 3 Places to See in the NWT
1. Nahanni National Park Reserve A UNESCO World Heritage site, this park is home to towering canyons, thunderous Virginia Falls (twice the height of Niagara!), and sacred Dene land. A must for any nature lover or adventurer.
2. Inuvik Way up in the Arctic Circle, Inuvik is your gateway to the Tuktoyaktuk Ice Road (in winter) and the Midnight Sun (in summer). It’s also a great place to experience Inuvialuit culture and community.
Colourful houses, local galleries, and floatplanes buzzing the water — Old Town is a charming, walkable intro to the city. Stop for coffee, shop local art, and soak up the views from Pilot’s Monument.
Food You Gotta Try (That Isn’t from a Chain)
Bullocks’ Bistro No frills, all flavour. This legendary fish joint serves up fresh local catches like lake trout and whitefish, pan-fried to crispy perfection. The hand-painted walls and local vibes make it a rite of passage.📍 3534 Weaver Dr, Yellowknife | ⭐ Google Rating: 4.5+
The Wildcat Café (seasonal) A rustic log cabin that’s been around since 1937 — and it shows in the best way. Locally sourced meats, bannock burgers, and northern charm. Open during the warmer months only, so plan ahead!📍 Franklin Ave, Yellowknife | ⭐ Google Rating: 4.4
A warm hug in a cup. Locally roasted beans, bannock breakfast sandwiches, and a cozy atmosphere. Perfect for fuelling your aurora-chasing nights.
📍 5023 52 St, Yellowknife | ⭐ Google Rating: 4.8
Can’t Visit? You Can Still Shop NWT Flavours
Birch Bark Coffee Co.This Indigenous-owned coffee company isn’t just about a smooth dark roast — they’re on a mission to bring clean drinking water to First Nations communities. Coffee with a cause? Yes, please. 🛒 birchbarkcoffeecompany.com
Laughing Lichen Wildcrafted Herb & Tea Co.Wild teas, northern herbs, and tundra bath soaks. Every product is foraged or handmade in the NWT. Try the wild mint tea or spruce tip salt for a taste of the boreal. 🛒 laughinglichen.ca
Tłıchǫ Online Store
Not food, but we think you’ll find some sweet unique, handcrafted finds among the incredible work of Indigenous artists from the Northwest Territories.
Igaqatigin’nga Golo Suulianga (Inuinnaqtun language) /Cook with me Golo Stew
This recipe comes from the 2021 Indigenous Languages Month Recipe Book, a community cookbook celebrating traditional foods and the Inuinnaqtun language. It's a hearty moose stew that's easy to make and adaptable to seasonal vegetables.
Golo Suulianga/Golo Stew
Ingredients
1½ pounds moose meat (a piece the size of a man’s hand)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
3 medium potatoes, scrubbed (no need to peel), chopped
Salt to taste
1–2 cups boiling water
½ cup steel-cut or rolled oats
Directions
Pop all these ingredients into the slow cooker and stir to mix.
Set on low for 4 hours.
Serve with homemade whole wheat bread and a glass of milk for a complete, hearty meal.
Let’s Eat Our Way Across Canada
There’s something grounding about making food like this. It’s simple, satisfying, and steeped in stories.
Whether you’re enjoying a bowl of Golo Stew with friends or sipping wild mint tea on your couch, here’s to celebrating northern flavours and the people who carry them forward.
Support local. Cook with love. And get ready — we’re heading to Yukon next.
Disclaimer: Fair & Furious is not sponsored by the businesses or brands mentioned in this post. We just really love sharing awesome Canadian products with you! Since our rankings take a hit when we share links to other sites, you can help out by sharing our posts and interacting with our content! Thanks for your support 💛
Comments