LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS - Matthew Taylor had a profound impact on the people in both Norman Wells and Hay River before his life was cut short when he died in a car accident last September.

Dedicated to making his community a better place for everyone, especially youth, Taylor volunteered his time creating programs to give youth a safe place to enjoy their weekends. Now, Mackenzie Mountain School in Norman Wells, where Taylor spent much of his childhood growing up after his parents moved to the Sahtu community in the mid-nineties, is honouring him for being a leader and role model for youth.

Taylor's life was cut short when the vehicle he was a passenger in hit a concrete barricade in Red Deer, Alta., and he was tossed from the vehicle.

The school will be awarding a student with an award in Taylor's name, recognizing their volunteer work at the school and in the community. Pamela Gray, vice-chair of the Sahtu District Education Authority, said she wanted to create an award in memory of Taylor to recognize his role in both Norman Wells and Hay River, where he moved with his parents Jill and Mark in 2005.

"In small communities in the North all kids here are the beneficiaries of volunteerism," she said. "We wouldn't have minor hockey, Super Soccer, all the activities that are available. They are all run on the backs of volunteers. I wanted to encourage and recognize students volunteering."

Gray said naming an award after Taylor was a chance for her to do two things she said are both important for youth to be connected to.

"One, it was to encourage volunteering and it was also a cautionary tale for kids," she said. "When he was here he was a young man, but down in Hay River he'd done a number of things for the community."

Matthew's mother Jill said during his time in Hay River Matthew organized a program called Lights On. The program ran on Friday and Saturday nights at Diamond Jenness School – where Jill works – and gave youth in the community a safe place to play games and other sports.

"It was a good way to keep kids out of trouble and gave them a place to go," Jill said. "It's really an honour to have this award named after Matthew. It carries on his legacy."

Gray said volunteers are vital to every community, especially Norman Wells. She said without volunteers to help organize events and groups, there wouldn't be much for residents to do, adding it's important adult volunteers set an example for young people.

"We need to be raising a generation of volunteers for when the adults are done," she said.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the award. For more information contact Mackenzie Mountain School or the Sahtu District Education Authority.

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