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

17 February 2016

The Yellowknife Community Foundation is excited to release the results of its 2016 Over the Moon Valentine’s Gala held February 13 at the Explorer Hotel. “We are delighted to announce that over $58,000 was raised thanks to the generous contributions of our guests and sponsors,” said Foundation President Bronwyn Watters.

Diavik President and Chief Operating Officer Marc Cameron said, “Through this partnership, we are doing our part to help northerners complete their educational goals and build their careers.” Diavik also presented the Foundation with a cheque for $25,000 to add to the Diavik Community Scholarship Fund which provides for annual scholarships for students pursuing careers in mining or the trades.

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 off spa weekends, Oilers hockey games tickets, a trip to Diavik Diamond Mine and other great items. Over 60 silent auction items were also contributed by local businesses and individuals.

Charles Dent, Gala Committee Chair said, “One of the highlights of the evening was the draw for the Diavik Diamond pendant, a stunning piece of jewelry valued at $15,000.” The pendant was won by lucky attendee Niels Konge.

“We greatly appreciate the support of our title sponsors – Diavik Diamond Mine and First Air; our Champion sponsors – Crossworks Manufacturing, Advanced Medical Solutions, Marvin and Janet Robinson, and the Explorer Hotel,” said Dent. “We also had great support from many other community-minded businesses and individuals who assist with the gala every year. Diavik has been with us right from the beginning, and has contributed to its success every year through its financial contributions, its partnerships and through its employees who donate their time by volunteering at the gala.”

For more information contact:

Yellowknife Community Foundation Charles Dent at 867-445-3368

Doug Ashbury
Adviser, Communications
Diavik Diamond Mines (2012) Inc. Tel: (867) 669-6500 ext. 6525 Email: doug.ashbury@riotinto.com

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 33 funds, 22 of which are scholarships. To date, nearly $750,000 in grants and scholarships have been awarded.

Diavik Diamond Mine

The Diavik Diamond Mine, located 300 km. northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, is a Diavik Diamond Mines (2012) Inc. (60%) and Dominion Diamond Diavik Limited Partnership (40%) unincorporated joint venture. Both companies are located in Yellowknife, Canada. DDMI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc of London, England, and Dominion Diamond Diavik Limited Partnership is wholly owned by Dominion Diamond Corporation of Yellowknife.

Diavik Community Scholarship Fund

Established in 2013 by Diavik Diamond Mines (2012) Inc., the Fund was established to assist individuals pursuing a career in mining or resource development. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to a post-secondary course in the mining or resource development or a trade related field. Courses include but are not limited to Mine Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geology, Metallurgy, Environmental Science or a Mining related trade.

Diavik Diamond Pendant

Commissioned especially for the Yellowknife Community Foundation by Diavik Diamond Mines and Crossworks Manufacturing, the Diavik diamond pendant is a stunning double halo pendant set in 18K white gold with a 0.59 carat Diavik cushion cut diamond surrounded by Argyle pink diamonds and Diavik white diamonds. The pendant comes with an 18K white gold chain with six rose cut round diamonds (0.6 carats).

Share this post

Discover more

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.

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.