Left: The five First Nations groups in the Athabasca oilands region, including the Fort McKay First Nation, are represented by the Athabasca Tribal Council. Photo: Joey Podlubny
Below: The community of Fort McKay has been interacting with industrial developers for close to 100 years. This is Fort McKay in the 1920s. Photo: Provincial Archives of Alberta
the Athabasca oilsands, it could be
available to our community members,
The aboriginal community has long
of this work over two decades, the ATC
argued that there is nowhere else in
we have reaped a number of benefits
recognized the need to establish a
has been able to establish very healthy
North America where there is as signif-
from resource development within the
constructive working relationship with
working relationships with industry
icant an impact on a community from
region. At the same time, this has not
industry and, likewise, industry also
and government that have significantly
a resource development standpoint as
been without consequence in terms
has appreciated the need for foster-
benefited the aboriginal communities
in Fort McKay. Since 1986, oilsands
of impacts on our environment and
ing a productive relationship with the
of the Wood Buffalo region.
production in our region has doubled
traditional way of life. We are also
aboriginal community. In 1988, the ATC
and is expected to double again by
deeply concerned about the effects
was formed to represent the interests of
2020. In the past, our First Nation
of such development on our water, air
five First Nations in close vicinity to oil-
The oilsands and Fort McKay First Nation today
has estimated there to be approxi-
and land, and how this may adversely
sands development in northern Alberta:
As a First Nation co-existing with
mately 800 million barrels of oil within
affect our culture and traditions, par-
Athabasca Chipewyan, Chipewyan
oilsands development, we are com-
our territory, and with that heralds the
ticularly for future generations.
Prairie, Fort McKay, Fort McMurray
mitted to maintaining our tradition of
No. 468 and Mikisew Cree.
longstanding relationship-building
potential of great opportunity for our
From 1998 to 2002, the ATC
with industry for the betterment of our
Industry Agreement Group oper-
community. Our focus for the future
ing near our lands are run by Suncor
Aboriginal and industry relations: A historical journey
ated with a primary focus to build
has been to maximize our community’s
Energy Inc., Syncrude Canada Ltd.,
In the past, Aboriginal People were
capacity between the regional First
economic prosperity through creat-
Royal Dutch Shell plc, and Canadian
not necessarily considered obvious,
Nations and the industry groups work-
ing sustainable, long-term growth
Natural Resources Limited. Through
integral parties to be included in deci-
ing in the Athabasca oilsands. Their
and development while upholding
this, we are profoundly familiar with the
sions on development or consulted on
aims were to foster long-term mutu-
respect for our environment. Given
issues related to the oilsands industry,
the impact of such development on
ally beneficial relationships between
this, our First Nation brought our for-
community relations, environmental
our communities. We had to become
all parties (First Nations, industry and
mer Industry Relations Corporation
monitoring and ecological preser-
proactive in asserting ourselves as im-
government), and support growth and
under band administration as the new
vation. Given our circumstances, our
portant members of the community
sustainability of ATC-member First
Sustainability Department in early
First Nation and community members
whose voices and input needed to
Nations while maximizing the benefits
2011. This restructuring was done to
have realized many positive gains—
be heard and respected. We wanted
and managing the impacts of indus-
provide community members greater
largely financial—as a direct result
to become active participants in a
trial development. In 2002, this group
access to information, services and
of oilsands development. Through
viable economic opportunity, which
transitioned from capacity building to
knowledge about industry development
agreements we have forged with oil-
the oilsands offered, while also pre-
more of an issues-management pro-
while helping to ensure Fort McKay’s
sands companies, our joint venture
serving our culture and traditions and
cess within the framework of a new
economic prosperity, social stability,
partnerships with industry through
respecting our environment. And
structure that included ATC-member
long-term sustainability and a healthy,
our Fort McKay Group of Companies
we have worked hard over the last
First Nations, industry groups and all
productive environment for our future
as well as employment opportunities
number of decades to do just that.
three levels of government. As a result
generations.
First Nation’s community members. The mining projects currently operat-
the first quarter century: 1986-2011
47