Appointment of Laurie Gault as Chair of the Board – Yellowknife Community Foundation

17 May 2022

The Yellowknife Community Foundation (YKCF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Laurie Gault as Chair of the Board for the Foundation effective April 1^st, 2022. Robin Greig, current Chair of the Board will continue as Past Chair of the board of directors.

Quote by Robin Greig, outgoing Chair of the Yellowknife Community Foundation – “It was a real pleasure serving as the Board Chair for the Yellowknife Community Foundation. It was a fulfilling journey, and I would like the thank the Board for their support over the past several years. Congratulations to Laurie Gault in her new role as Board Chair. I look forward to working with Laurie and the Board for the foreseeable future.”

Quote by the Laurie Gault, new Chair of the Yellowknife Community Foundation – “It is a privilege to take on the role of Board Chair in the footsteps of a strong legacy of leadership. I am grateful for the continued generosity and support of our donors and the trust that they have put in us. Working with our board, staff, and previous leadership, I look forward to continuing a strong program of granting and partnering to meet the needs of an inclusive and diverse community.”

YKCF and its Board of Directors would like to thank and formally acknowledge the contribution Robin Greig has made to the development and growth of the Foundation since he joined in 2017.

The Yellowknife Community Foundation was formed in 1993 to provide interested individuals and organizations with a means of supporting projects in our community for the enduring future. The Foundation is not singularly dedicated to any specific area of support. It embodies a simple concept – that people working together can make a difference.

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Impact Story - Skate North -...

The Yellowknife Small Grants Program offers micro-grants of up to $1,000 for individual residents of Yellowknife, Ndilǫ, and Dettah to bring the community together and help make it better. The first ever batch of grants was awarded in Fall 2025 to eight community members, including Forrest Doctor for his ongoing project, Skate North.

The initiative aims to make skateboarding more accessible to youth by providing safe skate spaces, equipment, and mentorship.

” I want to encourage youth to commit to their passions, take initiative, and create positive change. For me, that means creating a safe space for learners, something I didn’t have when I first started. This project is about keeping skateboarding alive in the NWT and giving our youth the support and opportunities they deserve.” – excerpt from Forrest’s proposal

Forrest used the grant to purchase helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards to give away to up-and-coming skaters. Through free prize draws, in-person outreach, and open calls on social media, Forrest was able to get gear directly into the hands of youth who need it the most.

Forrest Doctor giving away gear at the miniramp in Ndilǫ. The ramp was constructed in Spring 2026 as part of a Skate North wordworking workshop, delivered in partnership with the YKDFN Dechı̨ta Nàowo Training Center.

Matt Wolff from Rumor Boardshop in Edmonton, AB.
The skate shop is an ardent supporter and partner to the Skate North project.

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The results of this direct access model were both immediate and unexpected. Two things stand out especially. First, Forrest noticed that new skaters were able to instantly start with confidence. Having proper safety gear in place meant they were free to try things as many times as they wanted. That ability to iterate safely creates a level of early learning and progression that is invaluable.

Second, the degree of engagement from youth, families, and the larger community was uplifting. Skate North has now grown through additional volunteers, sponsors, and partners, including local schools. It shows that there is a strong demand for skateboarding and action sports overall. Now an olympic sport, the old cultural stigmas attached to skating have faded away. All that remains is a desire to get out there and rip.

Forrest partnered with Rumor Boardshop in Edmonton, AB to acquire the gear at a discounted rate. Shop rep Matt Wolff had this to say on the impact of skating and initiatives like Skate North:

“Especially in smaller communities, skateboarding can be a huge outlet for youth, not only physically, but to express themselves artistically as well. It also brings a real sense of community for people. I grew up in a small town in the middle of Alberta, and the people I skateboarded with I still have friendships with to this day.”

We can’t wait to see a new generation of skaters come up and grow the local scene in the North. Keep rolling.