A special ceremony was held on Tuesday evening at the Somba K’e Plaza Amphitheatre in Yellowknife to celebrate 48 student award recipients.
Before the ceremony, Yellowknife based musician Northwyne treated the crowd to an inspirational live acoustic performance that filled the amphitheater.
This year, the Yellowknife Community foundation presented an unprecedented 48 awards scholarships to more than 40 students from across the territory with over $130,000 in funds to support their studies. Students from diverse disciplines and areas of study pursuing trades and academics were honoured in varied fields of education, health, languages, arts, technical studies, athletics and sciences.
Many of the awards honour the legacies of leaders and change makers from the territory including the George Cleary. Cleary’s wife took to the stage in heartfelt tribute to her husband who was a residential school Survivor. She spoke about the legacy of the Sahtu leader and educator and how the memorial award celebrates his dedication to unity and the empowerment of the Sahtu community.
A memorial fund was established this year in honour of Josh Patenaude, a pilot who passed away in a tragic helicopter accident in 2025 near Behchokǫ̀. A friend of Patenaude took to the stage and spoke of the pilot’s dedication to youth. Patenaude had worked as a volunteer in the community. Among these roles he mentored youth in sports. An award in Patenaude’s name honours those like him who work to make a difference in the lives of youth.
Memorial funds also honour the memory of Northern pilots John Tumchewics, John Bidwell, Jim Smith and Matthew Bromley.
