Yellowknife Community Foundation announces 2nd $25,000 grant celebrating 25 years – $25,000 grant awarded to Folk On The Rocks

1 June 2018

The Yellowknife Community Foundation continued its 25th anniversary celebration today by awarding Folk On The Rocks a grant of $25,000 for festival site improvements. “We are very pleased to continue our 25th anniversary celebration by announcing the second of four $25,000 grants we will be awarding this year” said Foundation President, Bronwyn Watters. “Folk On The Rocks is an organization that not only brings world class entertainment to Yellowknife each summer, it also provides year round access to other groups at its festival site. Folk On The Rocks is an organization that exemplifies our vision of a giving community where people working together can make a difference for everyone.”

The Foundation will be announcing other special activities in the coming months. Groups interested in applying for our special $25,000 grants or for funding through our regular grants program are invited go to our website at YKCF.CA.”

Ashley Makohoniuk, President of Folk On The Rocks remarked: “Folk On The Rocks is extremely grateful to accept this special funding opportunity from the Yellowknife Community Foundation. The society will be using this money to build an upgraded hospitality building that we look forward to debuting at the 2019 festival. Without community support like this Folk On The Rocks would not be the awesome festival it is today.”

“As we enter our anniversary year we can look back with some pride to 25 years of committed service for the people of Yellowknife. Starting with our first donation of $100 in 1994 we have now provided over $1 million in total grants and scholarships to deserving projects and students – and we’re still growing” said Ms. Watters.

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. As we move further into our next 25 years, we will be working to help realize our Vision by: identifying and addressing current and anticipated community needs; raising, managing and distributing money from donated funds to meet those needs; and supporting projects that improve social conditions, assist and promote arts and cultural activities, sport, recreation and community development, assist and advance the provision of health care services, advance education, or assist and advance other community activities of a charitable nature.

For more information contact:

Yellowknife Community Foundation:

Bronwyn Watters, President, 873-8814, or E: bvwarl@theedge.ca

Folk On The Rocks:

Isis Essery, Marketing and Media Manager E: creative@ssimicro.com

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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.