Residents of Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, queued up at Mangilaluk School on Monday afternoon to collect complimentary winter attire donated by a charity based in Alberta. Among the recipients was Roxanne Raddi, who expressed gratitude for the assistance, noting the increasing costs of such items. The donation included approximately 250 winter jackets for students, along with hoodies, blankets, and toys, all provided by the Wild Wolves of Canada, a registered charity founded by motorcycle enthusiasts in Edmonton.
Grainger Thompson, a coordinator for the charity, mentioned establishing connections with the Hunters Trappers Committee in Tuktoyaktuk after being informed by the committee’s chair about the community’s requirement for winter clothing. Thompson emphasized the importance of ensuring children have appropriate winter clothing to engage in outdoor activities and land-based learning opportunities in the challenging Arctic climate.
The charitable initiative marked the first time the organization had distributed coats in the North, with plans underway for future endeavors. Thompson, speaking to CBC News from Inuvik, Northwest Territories, shared that Wild Wolves of Canada had previously donated significant amounts of food to the Inuvik Food Bank. He expressed his intentions to meet with various stakeholders, including the food bank, the town’s mayor, and representatives from the Inuvialuit and Gwich’in First Nations during his visit to Inuvik.
Thompson underscored the organization’s commitment to supporting all communities in the Beaufort Delta region, highlighting their ambitious goals for expansion nationwide. Despite being federally incorporated for just a year, Thompson praised the charity’s substantial accomplishments despite limited resources and personnel. The positive impact of the winter gear donation was evident as numerous children in Tuktoyaktuk were now equipped for the winter season, a gesture that received heartfelt appreciation from Raddi and the local community.
