John G. McNiven

Who was John G. McNiven?

John Graham "Jock" McNiven was a mine engineer, mine operator and politician from the Northwest Territories, Canada.

McNiven was a 1923 graduate of the University of Toronto and worked for several years in mining camps in Ontario. He first came to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories in 1938 to work as mill superintendent of Negus Mines Ltd. His family joined him by in 1940. Upon the resignation of mine manager Bill Stuart, McNiven was promoted to this position in May 1939 where he remained until the mine closed in 1952. In 1946 he established a chapter of the Grand Lodge of Alberta, the first lodge in the Northwest Territories.

McNiven became the first member of the Legislative Assembly of Northwest Territories from the Arctic; in 1947 he was appointed to the council, for Yellowknife. At that time he was the only member living in the territory to serve. He would serve on the council until it was dissolved for the 1951 general election.

In 1953, McNiven became the first mayor of Yellowknife, and served that position until 1954.