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Premier recognized as fur industry advocate
Bob McLeod recipient of North American Furbearer Conservation Award

Joseph Tunney
Northern News Services
Tuesday, June 28, 2016

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Premier Bob McLeod was recognized for his contributions to the fur trade by the Fur Institute of Canada on Saturday.

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Premier Bob McLeod accepts the North American Furbearer Conservation Award during the Fur Institute of Canada annual general meeting at the Explorer Hotel on Saturday. - Joseph Tunney/NNSL photo

He was given the North American Furbearer Conservation Award, which is given to someone who fosters conservation approaches that have contributed significantly to furbearers' welfare.

"He's always been an advocate of the fur industry and no matter what we did or the crazy ideas we came up with he has always supported us," said Francois Rossouw, marketing co-ordinator with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment's traditional economy division, during the event held at the Explorer Hotel. "Someone in senior management backing you makes a huge difference."

According to Dion Dakins, the chair of the fur institute board, when McLeod was the assistant deputy minister for the Department of Renewable Resources he faced one of the busiest and most productive agendas focused on the advancement of the Northwest Territories fur trade.

"He was instrumental in ensuring the programs for fur bearer management and trapper support were a government priority," Dakins said, adding the premier has given non-ending support towards the ongoing negotiations between the Fur Institute and the European Union in determining international trapping standards.

McLeod said he has been involved with the institution for nearly three decades.

"The Northwest Territories has long history of trapping and the fur trade," McLeod said during his acceptance speech. "We have a high regard for the ... activities that helped shape the North and remain in most communities today."

The Fur Institute of Canada is a major voice for the fur industry in Canada and is a composed of members and organizations from across the country.

Dakin described the annual general meeting as a meeting of minds of sorts between the different members of the association.

Rossouw, who was also given an award for his contributions, said the NWT fur industry is a direct link for indigenous populations from the past, present and future.

He said what was discussed at the meetings the fur institute held this weekend was the idea of elevating the status of trappers in Canada and getting the message across that trappers will be some of the first people affected by climate change.

He described trappers of the Northwest Territories as natural-born biologists who understand nature and animals like no one else.

"They're the MacGyvers of the bush," he said.

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