UNW donates 15K to Rotary Snack Program

At a recent meeting, the Rotary Club of Yellowknife welcomed Gayla Thunstrom, president of the Union of Northern Workers (UNW). She and Geraldine Penny, UNW First Vice President presented a cheque for $15,000 to our Club President, Austin Marshall, to cover the cost of the Rotary Snack Program. The students of Mildred Hall School, represented by Principal, Lea Lamoureux and Weledeh School, represented by Principal, Paul Kelly will be the recipients of this weekly donation of food. Austin Marshall expressed our thanks to UNW for their continued support of this longstanding program.

Photo representation (left to right) were: Austin Marshall, Paul Kelly, Gayla Thunstrom, Geraldine Penny, and Lea Lamoureux.

Canada Day Parade 2026
Rotary Club of Yellowknife and Rotary Club of Yellowknife True North brought the citizens of our city together to celebrate Canada Day.  Our parade had 29 entries, along with our Colour Party, RCMP, NWT Pipe Band, JTFN, Commissioner Kisoun, MLA's, Mayor and Councillors. Luckily we had an overcast, although a bit smoky, 28 degree day for all.  We were treated to colourful floats, energetic walking youth groups, dancers, cyclist, along with many variations of vehicles and a strong representation of our diverse population.  Judging for the 29 entries was performed by Rotarian Wayne Guy and Friend Bruce Valpy who methodically graded all entries based on their theme integration, visual appeal and originality. Check out our Rotary Club of Yellowknife Facebook page or Instagram @rotary_club_yellowknife for more information on the categories and winners. This is all possible due to our devoted volunteers and friends from both Rotary Clubs.  Well Done! All possible due to YOUR help!
 
 
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63rd Annual Rotary District 5360/5370 Curling Bonspiel
On March 5-8, 2026, Rotary Club of Yellowknife and Rotary True North hosted the 63rd Annual Rotary District 5360/5370 Curling Bonspiel. 
This bonspiel is a cherished tradition, bringing together Rotarians from across Western Canada in a celebration of fellowship, fun, and friendly competition. More importantly, the 2026 event served a meaningful cause – our youth! This event raised $27,000 and all proceeds are going into our local Rotary youth development programs and initiatives.
The bonspiel was a huge success with 14 clubs from Alberta, BC and NWT consisting of 74 curlers and 14 guests. 
Yellowknife citizens as a whole rolled up their generous volunteer sleeves in the areas of hospitality, expertise in bonspiel logistics and local business' opened their wallets to help kick this wonderful event off. 
 
On behalf of both Clubs, we extend warm and gratifying accolades to our many volunteers and generous funding donators. WE could not have done this without YOU!
 
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Club Welcomes New Members
On November 6, 2025 at our weekly Rotary meeting, we had the pleasure of welcoming two Inductees to our Club. In the photo (left to right), Inductee Dawinder Kaur with sponsor Charles Tolley and Inductee Roland-Eric Rakotomena with sponsor Austin Marshall. Our club is one of service to Yellowknife and we welcome new members. Please email us at rotary.yellowknife@gmail.com for expression of interest or questions.
UNW donates $15,000 for School Snack Program
At our weekly Thursday meeting, Ms. Gayla Thunstrom, President of the Union of Northern Workers (UNW) presented a generous $15,000 cheque to Austin Marshall, President of the Rotary Club of Yellowknife. This cheque goes a long way to ensure that the children of Weledeh and Mildred Hall schools receive healthy snacks each school day throughout the year. Thanks to UNW’s generosity, Inders' Independent Grocer's careful selection and support and the many Rotarians who deliver the snacks, it is possible for us to provide this important nutritional boost to each child's learning capabilities.  For more than 20 years, the children, their families and staff continue to express their thanks to UNW for making the Rotary Snack Program possible. 
Visiting Rotarian from Belgium
Rotarian Stef Van Nieuwkerke and his wife, Rotary Genk Club, District 2140, Zone 7 joined us for our weekly meeting on Thursday, September 4th. Depicted is a photo of Stef and Austin Marshall exchanging club banners.

The Rotary Club of Yellowknife acknowledges that we are located in Chief Drygeese territory. From time immemorial, it has been the traditional land of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and more recently, the homeland of the North Slave Métis. We respect the histories, languages, and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada.

Rotary Club of Yellowknife

'Service Above Self'

We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:00 p.m.
Explorer Hotel, Salon B
4825 49 Avenue
Yellowknife, NT X1A2R3
Canada
Tickets are sold for a buffet-style lunch. Alcohol is not served. During the summer, our meetings take place in Rotary Waterfront Park on School Draw. We are at the mercy of inclement weather, but the two large pavilions offer some shelter.
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    Club Directors
    President
    Austin Marshall
    Secretary
    Thola Rusike
    Treasurer
    Brian George
    Past President
    Lydia Bardak
    Club Administration
    Cheryl Case
    Services - Community
    Amanda Mallon
    Services - International
    Peter Vician
    Sergeant-at-Arms
    Fred Desmarais

    So what does Rotary do?

    Here are some examples of the YK Club's work now and through the years:

    > The Rotary Range Lake Trail, completed in 1993, with the City now budgeting for upgrades to the popular amenity.

    > Healthy School Snack Program for students. Our thanks to the Union of Northern Workers for generous long-term funding.

    > The YK Club has played a part in Rotary International’s Polio Plus Program. Worldwide, Rotary  have reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent and won't stop until the disease is eradicated for good.

    > The Rotary Canada Day Parade is a welcomed Yellowknife tradition, with community groups and organizations designing floats or non-motorized processions all travelling along Franklin Avenue.

    > The YK Club is a major sponsor of the Rotary Mike Haener Bike Park. A project of the Yellowknife Mountain Bike Club.

    > For years, the Rotary Bike Auction recycled bicycles donated by the public or recovered by police. The event has been transitioned appropriately to our partners, the Yellowknife Mountain Bike Club who has worked with Makerspace to help re-condition the cycles before auction.

    > The YK Club has continually supported Edmonton Gateway Club’s Steven’s Hope mission to build schools in Mozambique.

    > The Rotary Don Cardinal Scholarship provides annual support to a select local high-school graduate intent on post-secondary studies in the arts.

    > The Rotary Wreaths campaign each December is a major fundraiser. Balsam fir wreaths from a sustainable Nova Scotia tree farm are shipped here and delivered by Rotarians helped by  appreciated volunteers.

    > The Rotary Centennial Park and Boardwalk on Yellowknife Bay is a project in partnership with the City that resulted in a destination for residents and tourists alike. Club members (as seen in photo above) help keep the boardwalk repaired and clear of overgrowth from vegetation.

    5360/5370 Curling Bonspiel
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    Vision and Mission
     
    Our Vision
    The Rotary Club of Yellowknife is a service club of community members who work within the local and world community to make a difference.
     
    Our Mission
    The Rotary Club of Yellowknife adheres to the principle of Service Above Self in our work in the community and provides humanitarian service by building on the strengths of our members.

    The Four-Way Test

    Rotary's historical Four-Way Test acts as a moral compass to guide: "The things we think, say or do".

    Is it the TRUTH?
    Is it FAIR to all concerned?
    Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
    Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”

    You'll hear it referenced during executive meetings when Club directors are faced with a tough decision and sometimes at regular meetings when 'fines' are levied.

    Information From Rotary International
    Local Resources