Canada’s oil and natural gas producers work with Indigenous peoples, businesses and communities to achieve mutual benefits from responsible resource development, while also mitigating environmental and social impacts of resource development. Indigenous communities and industry both benefit when strong relations are built on mutual trust and respect.
Each company in the industry designs its own path toward building relationships and sharing benefits. Some of the notable actions undertaken include implementing Indigenous relations policies, providing Indigenous training to employees and contractors, and partnering with Indigenous business and communities.
Indigenous communities purchase equity in Enbridge pipelines
- On Sept. 28, 2022, Enbridge Inc. and 23 First Nation and Métis communities announced an agreement that will see these communities acquire an 11.57% non-operating interest in seven of Enbridge’s pipelines in northeastern Alberta.
- The equity purchase is worth about $1.12 billion, the largest energy-Indigenous economic partnership in North America.
- Chief Greg Desjarlais of Frog Lake First Nation said, “In addition to an opportunity to generate wealth for our people, this investment supports economic sovereignty for our communities. We look forward to working with a leading energy company like Enbridge, which shares Indigenous values of water, land and environmental stewardship.
First Nations take ownership stake in Coastal GasLink pipeline
- Indigenous communities along the route of the Coastal GasLink pipeline have signed agreements with TC Energy (the builder of the pipeline) that provides them the option to buy a 10% equity stake in the project.
- The agreement includes 16 of 20 Indigenous communities along the pipeline route. The elected band councils of those 20 communities previously expressed support for the project, which brings sustainable jobs and economic growth to northern B.C.
- “For many of us, this marks the first time that our Nations have been included as owners in a major natural resource project that is crossing our territories,” said Chief Corrina Leween of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, adding, “This is a historic milestone.
Suncor East Tank Farm
- In 2017, Fort McKay First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation together acquired 49% of Suncor’s East Tank Farm at the company’s Base Plant in the oil sands for $503 million.
- This means both communities will have stable, long-term income from operating the tank farm to enable further growth in jobs, training, and community developments.
- “The deal represents the largest business investment to date by a First Nation entity in Canada, and not only demonstrates the great potential for partnerships between First Nations and industry but serves as a model for how First Nations can achieve greater self-determination through financial independence,” said Jim Boucher, Chief of FMFN.
Indigenous communities and Tamarack Valley Energy Clearwater Partnership
- In December 2023, Wapiscanis Waseskwan Nipiy (WWN) Holding Limited Partnership, a venture composed of 12 First Nation and Métis communities, partnered with Tamarack Valley Energy to acquire an 85% non-operated working interest in the $172 million Clearwater midstream assets.
- The transaction enhances the long-term relationship between Tamarack and the Indigenous communities where Tamarack is developing its Clearwater resource and ensures long-term economic benefits for the participating Indigenous communities.
- “We are excited to be partnering with an industry leader such as Tamarack, where our Indigenous community has the opportunity to participate in a large multimillion dollar business involved in oil and gas transportation and processing on our lands. Our ownership in WWN will provide much needed revenues for Indigenous people for decades, while at the same time giving our people experience in the business community, ” said Chief Gilbert Okemow, of Peerless Trout First Nation.
