The Yellowknife Community Foundation announces the establishment of the Holy Family Lutheran Legacy Fund

22 December 2022

The Yellowknife Community Foundation (YKCF) announces the establishment of the Holy Family Lutheran Legacy Fund.

The purpose of the Fund will be to support addressing homelessness and food insecurity, and to support providing family violence interventions and to help marginalized populations in the Yellowknife area. Organizations will have the opportunity to apply to the Fund on an annual basis, for a grant up to $10,000 to support activities related to the purpose of the Fund.

The fund was established earlier this week when Holy Family Lutheran Church donated $101,000.00 with the goal that its ministry in Yellowknife would continue even after the congregation closes officially on December 31, 2022.

“Our members have worked together and with other local organizations to be God’s open arms for close to 50 years here in the City of Yellowknife,” said Cathie Bolstad, Chairperson for Holy Family Lutheran Church. “Our mission activities have always been shaped by our belief that we are all created in God’s image, holy and dearly loved, and that the church should welcome and embrace all people who come just as they are as we celebrate God’s love and grace. We have created this legacy fund so that our mission activities live on, even after our small church is closed.”

Quote by Laurie Gault, Chair of the Yellowknife Community Foundation – “The Yellowknife Community Foundation is honoured to be entrusted with such a generous donation to establish the Holy Family Lutheran Legacy Fund. We are committed to ensuring that these funds continue to make a meaningful impact for those most vulnerable groups in our Yellowknife community, to embody the values and deep faith of the Holy Family Lutheran congregation. Thank you for this wonderful gift.”

Donations to the Fund can be made through CanadaHelps.

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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.