A man in Ndılǫ is hoping to grow the sport of skateboarding in the North.
Forrest Doctor, who is a member of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, said he wants to “build an inclusive revitalized community for both new and experienced riders” and keep skateboarding alive in the NWT.
“I want to encourage youth to commit to their passions, take initiative and create positive change,” he said.
“For me, that means creating a safe space for learners – something I didn’t have when I first started.”
Doctor runs the Skate North Facebook page and, with a grant from Cuso International and the help of Anthony Ellendt, has built skate ramps and obstacles for others to use.
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He hopes to secure more funding for a bigger build and ultimately wants there to be “a proper skateboard park” in Yellowknife.
The city currently has a small outdoor skate park located near École St Joseph School that has been criticized by some as being in poor condition. The recently formed Territorial Action Sports Association is lobbying the city to use the former Ruth Inch Memorial Pool building for an indoor skate park.
Doctor organized a skate jam session in Ndılǫ on Monday that was attended by several local skateboarders.
“We had a good time,” he said, adding the weather was clear.
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Doctor told Cabin Radio he has been skateboarding for 32 years and wants to pay forward what he has gained from the sport to others.
“I’m just trying to give back to what I love. It’s my way to give back to skateboarding everything that was given to me,” he said.
“I want kids to find what I found through skateboarding. Through it I’ve travelled to other cities to go skateboarding and met so many friends, and it was just such a good outlet for me.”
Doctor aims to start a youth group to get young Yellowknives Dene members skateboarding and eventually the larger Yellowknife community.
Beyond growing the sport in the NWT, Doctor is starting his own clothing brand, called Dene Skateboards, that he said will highlight Indigenous skateboarders.
He said he wants to eventually open his own shop that sells skate and snowboard-focused clothing as well as alternative punk-style clothing from local artists.
“It’s not all mukluks and beaded earrings here in the North. It’s rich with many styles,” he said.
