Josh Patenaude Memorial Fund
We set up a scholarship fund to honour our friend.
We established a scholarship fund at the Yellowknife Community Foundation in memory of Josh, who was an amazing volunteer for our organization in 2024 and 2025. Josh played on our soccer and slo-pitch team, alongside youth who he always built up and supported by being a good mentor and friend. During his last slo-pitch game with the NTESA team, a young player was struggling on the pitcher’s mound and Josh offered to cover him, but he too was struggling to throw a good pitch. He shared later with the NTESA team that he wanted to show the youth that it’s okay to mess up and that everyone is learning. Josh passed away in July 2025 in a helicopter accident near BehchokÇ«, Northwest Territories. We miss him a lot.
Students who are interested in applying for the scholarship can do so through the Yellowknife Community Foundation every year in April and May. Eligibility for the scholarship is:
-
Must be a resident of the Northwest Territories for at least 12 consecutive months.
-
Must be enrolled in, or planning to enroll in, a recognized education or training program, including:
-
Adult learning
-
College or university
-
Trades training
-
Other accredited programs
-
Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:
-
A student who has overcome significant hardships as a youth and is working toward a positive future; or
-
A mentor, coach, advocate, or community member who supports vulnerable youth through work, volunteering, leadership, or advocacy.
Priority will be given to students who have overcome significant hardships as a youth and are working toward building a positive path forward.