YELLOWKNIFE (July 12, 2012) – Sholto Douglas, a 37 year GNWT employee has received the 2012 Jim Bourque Award in recognition of his commitment to the sustainable use of wildlife resources and improved animal welfare, his recognition of indigenous culture, and his stewardship role in the conservation and management of wildlife.

The award is one of four presented annually by the Fur Institute of Canada (FIC) to honour outstanding individual achievements in the Canadian trapping industry and reflects, in part, the late Jim Bourque’s commitment to the development of Canada’s modern fur trade. In the 1980s and 90s, Mr. Douglas worked with Jim Bourque and the Fur Institute of Canada in developing and promoting humane trapping standards across Canada.

“Sholto broke ground for the NWT fur industry,” Minister Ramsay notes. “He was a strong voice to the European Union in defence of trapping as a way of life for northern Aboriginal people and his workshops with Aboriginal groups in the NWT were instrumental in the introduction and adoption of quick-kill traps in traditional harvesting practices in the NWT.”

The NWT was the first Canadian jurisdiction to implement a Trap Exchange Program in support of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards at a cost of $2.5 million.

A second generation wildlife officer, Sholto Douglas is known for his charismatic nature and respected for his knowledge and passion for the trapping industry, which he shares with his community. He retired from the GNWT this year.

Investment in the NWT’s traditional economy is a key element in the 17th Assembly’s goal of developing a diversified economy that provides all communities and regions with opportunities and choices.

Since its inception, the GNWT’s Take a Kid Trapping Program has introduced more than 6500 youth in the Northwest Territories to the traditional harvesting practices of hunting, trapping, fishing and outdoor survival.

For more information contact:

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-920-8696