Terry Kruger
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 14/00) - Yellowknife is building a new reputation as the diamond capital of North America, and a local artist and entrepreneur wants to take that a step further.

Matthew Grogono has designed the Aurora Jewel Trophy for use by the Canadian Championship Dog Derby Association.

It's a simple design, using a large diamond moulded out of coloured glass as the centrepiece on a glass plate that bears an inscription.

It's all done with recycled glass, creating a work of art that is "a link between the past and the future."

Now, what started out as a new way to honour Dog Derby winners has grown into hopes that the Aurora Jewel will become something that makes people think of Yellowknife.

"I thought an original trophy (for the revitalized Dog Derby) would bode well," he said, hoping it will become known in the mushing world with a reverence akin to the Grey Cup.

"The idea was that the trophy would go home (with the winner) and sit on a coffee table and make people think about Yellowknife," he said.

Dog Derby association president Dave Anderson presented a replica of the trophy to Mayor Dave Lovell Monday night in recognition of the city's support of the recent race.

Grogono hopes the Jewel image will catch on as a new icon for Yellowknife.

Another replica has been donated to the Northern Frontier Visitors Centre.

Grogono has proposed the image be turned into something that can be given to special visitors.

With a mould already created - the glass trophy was made at Sterling Glass Foundry in Victoria B.C. - "we can make as many as we want."

If the idea catches on, Grogono has plans to open his own glass foundry as part of his business, Yellowknife Glass Recyclers. It would be one more step in his effort to turn Yellowknife's waste glass into something of value.

He founded his business on a challenge by a former mayor and now turns about 3,000 bottles each year into etched glassware keepsakes.