Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In memory of Jim Bourque, P.C., a scholarship fund is being established through the Arctic Institute of North America. The fund will provide annual scholarships to Canadian aboriginal students who intend to take post secondary training in education, environmental studies, traditional knowledge or telecommunications.
The fund was endowed with a contribution of $10,000 from the Government of the Northwest Territories through the Department of Resource, Wildlife and Economic Development to recognize Mr. Bourque's public service to the people and environment of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Bourque's primary goals in life were:
-to promote the wise use of resources;
-to further the involvement of aboriginal people and traditional knowledge in resource management; and
-to ensure that our children inherit a healthy environment and economy.
In pursuit of these goals, Mr. Bourque shared his knowledge and wisdom with everyone he met and we hope you will help make this fund as big as Jim's heart and soul were. Mr. Bourque worked very hard on behalf of all of the people of the Northwest Territories. He was honest, well liked and highly respected. Everyone knew him as a fair man who believed in the rights of all people; he treated everyone, from trappers to world leaders, with respect. He was also blessed with a deep love of his family.
From 1982 to 1991, he served as deputy minister of Renewable Resources and played an instrumental role in promoting the fur industry. His reputation and love of the north led to a role in constitutional development and unity efforts in the north by heading the Bourque Commission in 1993.
Among his other accomplishments, Mr. Bourque served as co-director of policy for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in 1994 and as President of the Metis Nation from 1980 to 1982. In recognition of his long service to his people and his country, Mr. Bourque was appointed to the Privy Council by the Governor General at the recommendation of the Prime Minister in July, 1992.
Contributions are tax deductible and may be made payable to the:
Jim Bourque Scholarship Fund
c/o Mr. Mike Robertson, Director, Arctic Institute of North America
2500 University Drive N.W.
Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4
The first scholarships will be awarded in 1998. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.