Yellowknife Community Foundation Gala – A Great Success

Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home/namu44/public_html/wp-content/plugins/elementor-pro/modules/dynamic-tags/tags/post-featured-image.php on line 39

13 February 2017

The Yellowknife Community Foundation is excited to release the results of its 2017 ‘A Night in Paris’ Valentine’s Gala held February 11 at the Explorer Hotel. “We are delighted to announce that over $60,000 was raised thanks to the generous contributions of our guests and sponsors,” said Foundation President Bronwyn Watters.

Dominion Diamond Chief Executive Officer Brendan Bell said, “Dominion Diamond is proud to contribute to the Yellowknife Community Foundation by donating a diamond necklace and earrings to the fundraising raffle. We thank the Foundation for their efforts to improve the quality of life for all northerners.”

Over 200 people dined, danced and were entertained by Edmonton band 5 on the Side. Emcee Mark Scholz kept the crowd entertained as he auctioned a custom deck package, an Oilers hockey game, some amazing artwork and other popular items. Over 50 silent auction items were also contributed by local businesses and individuals.

Ian Legaree, Gala Committee Chair said, “The biggest highlight of the evening was the raffle for the Dominion Diamond “Northern Pulse” pendant and earrings from the Ekati mine, stunning jewellery valued at $17,000.” The diamond jewellery was won by lucky attendee, Maureen Crotty-Williams and Roy Williams.

“We really appreciate the support of our title sponsor Dominion Diamond Corporation; our Champion sponsors – Advanced Medical Solutions, Marvin and Janet Robinson, and the Explorer Hotel,” said Legaree. “We also had a lot of support from many other community-minded businesses and individuals who assist with the Gala every year.”

For more information contact:

Yellowknife Community Foundation
Ian Legaree at (867) 445-6000
E: ian.legaree@gmail.com

Dominion Diamond Corporation
Laura Worsley-Brown
E: laura.worsley-brown@ddcorp.ca

Yellowknife Community Foundation

In existence since 1993, the Yellowknife Community Foundation is the leading philanthropic organization in Yellowknife. A registered charity, the Foundation was formed in 1993 to provide residents (and former residents) 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.

The Yellowknife Community Foundation administers 34 funds, 23 of which are scholarships. To date, nearly $950,000 in grants and scholarships have been awarded.

Dominion Diamond Corporation

Dominion Diamond Corporation is the world’s third largest producer of rough diamonds by value. Both of its production assets are located in the low political risk environment of the Northwest Territories in Canada.

The Company operates the Ekati Diamond Mine and also owns 40% of the Diavik Diamond Mine. Between the two mining operations, diamonds are currently produced from a number of separate kimberlite pipes providing a diversity of diamond supply as well as reduced operational risk. It supplies premium rough diamond assortments to the global market through its sorting and selling operations in Canada, Belgium and India.

Dominion Diamond Pendant and Earrings

The “Northern Pulse” pendant is 18 karat white gold with a 0.70 carat centre diamond of VS.1 clarity and E colour from the Ekati mine. The surrounding diamonds are also Canadian. The total diamond weight of the pendant is 1.10 carats. The stunning diamond studs are 0.3 carats each.

Share this post

Discover more

Impact Story - Skate North -...

July 29, 2026

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.

Donate to the Fund

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.