Energy and the Oil Sands: Aboriginal Perspectives Conference - Day 2

The conference has wrapped, and many left the Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre in jubilant spirits. Or at least with the spirit of understanding that there was great dialogue created, and many takeaways that can begin to build the conversations that are necessary with the industry and Aboriginal intersections.

The day started off with a short address by breakfast sponsor ICEIS's President & Owner Massey Whiteknife (Mikisew Cree First Nation). He started off the day speaking about the importance of hard work and being able to go to bed at night with a clear conscience (like he said he did the night prior). His tenacity is clear as he is an advocate for anti-bullying and has to overcome many hurdles to gain his current success.

Following breakfast was the Best Practises Forum: Working in the Oil Industry: Including Success Stories with moderator Clint Davis, VP of Aboriginal Affairs, TD Bank. First up was Janet Annesly, VP Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) who shared her top three tips for networking that was relatable for many in the audience who are entrepreneurs or those in burgeoning careers. Her first tip was to ensure that you are offering value to the other party first before thinking "What's in it for me?"

Following her presentation was Dr. Kevin Nagel, President and CEO of Keyano College who discussed their initiatives in the industry sector. Brad Anderson, Executive Director of the Alberta Chamber of Resources attested to the organization's best practises. Finally we had Mitch Mercredi (Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation), President of the NorthEastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association speak on their organizational success. While these three presentations provided pertinent points of discussion, they weren't in line with the topic of networking in a relevant and applicable manner.

The Aboriginal Issues Forum: Treaty and Aboriginal Rights, etc. was the next panel that was eagerly anticipated by all. Moderator Max Faille, Lawyer and Partner at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP opened up the panel by quoting William Faulkner: "The past is never dead. It's not even the past." He then went on to give a quick overview of treaties with focus on Treaty 8.

Bill Gallagher, lawyer, strategist and author of Resource Rulers, gave a fully loaded presentation that surely had some people squirming in their seats as he discussed the evolution of Aboriginals and industry. "2014 will see the climax of Native empowerment," he says. Jerome Slavik, Lawyer Ackroyd LLP took the throne and stresses the importance of the treaties and their role in the development that has happened to date. 

"You wouldn't have this development going on without Treaty 8. Imagine this kind of development going on in BC where there are no treaties - it wouldn't happen."

Jerome Slavik

As Canada is the only country in the world with Aboriginal treaty rights imbedded in it's constitution, Slavik explains, we can become a model for responsible resource development for Indigenous groups around the world. Karin Buss, Lawyer for Klimek Buss Bishop Law Group, took to the throne next to discuss the three aspects in relation to the increase in litigation (scope of Crown consultation, how the process is conducted, and regulating regime for oil sands). 

For our treaty grand finale, we had Cliff Supernault (Metis) who stressed the importance of early consultation process and engaging elders for traditional land use studies. He also regaled us with jokes about the Blackfoot coming up north to work in Cree territory, creating a whole new nation of "Creefoots."

"The process has to be participatory, everyone has to be involved because everyone has to live with the consequences."

Dr. Karim-Aly Kassam

After the lunch address by John Rind, VP Shell Upstream Americas, Oil Sands JV, everyone was anxious for the Environmental Forum: State of Address with the Oil Industry to get underway. We were given the great opportunity to have Dr. Karim-Aly Kassam, Professor at Cornell University, in our midst to moderate the panel discussion. His key points echoed Supernault's messaging on early engagement and traditional land use studies.

Ed Whittingham, Executive Director of Pembina Institute opened up the discussion as the first panelist recognizing the treaty territory of which he was speaking on (Treaty 8), and where he lives (Treaty 7), which was shockingly the first time I heard mention of recognizing traditional territories by any of the panelist. He lightened up the mood with his joke: Why is sustainable development like high school and sex? - We talk about it more than we actually do it, and those that are doing it, aren't doing it well. Of course that brought out a lot of chuckles throughout the room. 

Dan Stuckless, Sustainability Department for Fort McKay First Nation, spoke about FMFN and development on their land - 70% of their territory is leased out. Dr. John O'Connor, the family physician who was demonized in Ezra Levant's Ethical Oil, was present to discuss the issues from his perspective. 

"I am not anti-industry. I think that for anyone to suggest shutting down (the oil sands) would devastate the industry. I would love to see the Aboriginal people and industry collaborating slowing things down, and forcing government to look at the health issues."

Dr. John O'Connor 

Chief Allen Adam of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation was the final panelist of the conference and he brought a much-anticipated gusto of energy. 

"We are fighting and the First Nations people across the country are waking up. The old Dene story that always said that the Sleeping Giant will one day wake and the people will realize that we are in trouble. I'm here to tell you that the Sleeping Giant has awaken. This country will never look the same again."

Chief Allen Adam

Wab Kinew, emcee of the conference, wrapped up his portion of the closing by taking a sip of that water and stating that we are in this together. And that perfectly hits upon the point of the entire conference, we are in this together for the long-term and the time has never been better to create meaningful dialogue.

Chief Jim Boucher (Dene) spoke last night about how Fort McKay First Nation had a history with the fur trade and how their economic development opportunities took a drastic shift after the anti-fur campaigns in the mid-eighties.

This notion of creating new economic development opportunities through resources resonated with conference co-host JP Gladu, CEO of Canada Council for Aboriginal Business.

"There are old ways and new ways to be able to adapt to the new trapline. We need to know and live with the best of both worlds," says Cree Elder Bob Stevenson from Fort Fitzgerald who came all the way from his current home in Awkwesasne, ON to attend the conference.

That sentiment is precisely the spirit that the conference came from when JP Gladu and Chief Jim Boucher met last March at the CAPP Renewable Clean Energy Awards in Calgary. Discussion, dialogue and different ways of approaching the future, together.

Further Coverage:

#EOSAC coverage of Day 1 here
#EOSAC  coverage of Day 1 Gala here

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Energy and the Oil Sands: Aboriginal Perspectives Conference - Day 1 Gala

The tables were dressed, complete with beautiful red rose and white hydrangea arrangements in tall glass vases, with the chairs were covered in fabric with shimmery fabric to complete the look for the Gala at the Energy and the Oil Sands: Aboriginal Perspectives Day 1. By the time I arrived to the dinner, most were were on their main course - an Albertan steak, of course.

Adam Beach (Salteaux) was the master of ceremonies and he delighted the crowd with tales of being a rich Indian in Hollywood from attempting to put together his daughter's teepee in his (former) Hollywood Hill's home, to being at parties where Lindsay Lohan "did her thing." Beach is certainly entertaining in this Fort McMurray environment. 

The gala attendees where equally as dressed up as they made the shift from business to evening attire in as efficient of a manner as the Sawridge Inn had with their main conference room. Glitz and glam aside, there were some serious issues to discuss. 

Chief Jim Boucher (Cree) (Dene) took the stage after Hugh Campbell, VP Sustainable Development and HSE for Total EP Canada. He took the casual approach, he sat down on a stool on the stage and regaled the crowd with his story - how he grew up in the bush with seventeen siblings and how they lived off of the land. He talked about how industry came and changed the face of the land that he grew up on and how members of Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN) and himself were resistant to change and were not interested in industry at first.

The anti-fur campaigns in the eighties devastated FMFN (as it did for many Inuit, Cree, and Dene in the far north) as they no longer had a trapping economy on which to survive. Men were left without work and families needing subsistence. They had to adapt with the times. 

"If you take a look at the natural resources, that's your gift from us," Chief Jim Boucher stated which was met with an (at first resistant) applause from about a quarter of the attendees. At least it went over better than the "Got land" hoodie that 13-year-old Tenelle Star wore to her high school in SK. 

His speech was insightful for many in the crowd, who might not have been privy to the history of FMFN, and certainly eye opening for many industry attendees. Edmonton Journal did an insightful piece on FMFN and I'd suggest you take a look at the video and the post to gain greater context of the issues that surround this nation and their perspectives on the serious issues at hand.

The keynote speaker for the evening was Ken Coates, who is a widely respected historian and writer on the Canadian north who focuses on Aboriginal rights and Indigenous claims. He got right into the grit and held nothing back. He spoke directly to industry talking about treaty rights, the history of colonialism and it's impact on Aboriginal people, legal battles and the precedents that have been set using the Canadian legal system (more to come on that from Bill Gallagher, author of Resource Rulers today), and what industry needs to do to move forward in negotiations, engagement, and beyond. 

I found his keynote presentation absolutely riveting, and refreshing as he did not do a diplomatic dance around the issues, but rather faced them head on and spoke about them in a fact-based manner that only a historian with such in-depth research in the area could. His book A Global History of Indigenous Peoples looks at these complex issues in a greater way for those so inclined to dig deeper into the context of the issues that face us all in the Canadian resource industry today. Take note.

Following Coate's presentation which left the room in a quiet standstill, Beach came out to round out the evening and put his signature stamp on the evening's ebb and flow. He said he was so interested in Coate's keynote that he held off on going to the bathroom and proceeded to rush off the stage before introducing Don Amero (Metis). 

Amero entertained for the rest of the evening with his beautiful music as the gala guests mixed and mingled and chatted about all that was soaked in throughout the day. There was a distinct buzz in the air and anticipation for the panels today on treaty rights and environmental issues. I will be tweeting throughout the day on @FortMckay using the hashtag #EOSAC. Join the conversation.

Further Coverage:

#EOSAC coverage of Day 1 here
#EOSAC coverage of Day 2 here

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Energy and the Oil Sands: Aboriginal Perspectives Conference - Day 1

The first day of the Energy and the Oil Sands: Aboriginal Perspectives Conference started off with excitement in the air. There has been a great deal of conversation surrounding the conference both online and in media as this is the first conference of it's kind - the kind where a First Nation opens up dialogue and invites industry to come and talk about the issues that are affecting both industry and Aboriginal people.

And the timing couldn't be better for this type of conversation, from the Neil Young ripples being heard throughout the country and the close watch on the Jackpine and Moose Lake decisions, there is a strong desire to come to concrete conclusions.

One of the things that frustrates me, and I would guess frustrates many of you is the forced perspective of Aboriginal people in the country, told through the lens of a few and portrayed to the many through media.

JP Gladu 

The day started with the a grand entry with the Fort McKay Drummers and the Fort McKay First Nation Chief & Council, special guests and presenting delegates entering in the Sawridge Inns conference room. Wab Kinew (Anishinaabe), the event emcee, opened the day by introducing himself in Anishinaabe, followed by opening addresses by JP Gladu (Anishinaabe), CEO of Canada Council for Aboriginal Business and Fort McKay First Nation Chief Jim Boucher (Cree) - who was introduced by Guy Boutilier, Deputy Mayor - Region Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

There is a distinct desire to create open and honest dialogue to create pathways of understanding between industry and Aboriginal peoples.

The first panel was the Economics Panel Discussion: The Oil Industry: The Present State & Future Outlook which featured four panelists and was moderated by Stephen Watson, the Senior VP of Strategic Growth, Carillion Canada. Although I expected there to be a typical panel, it ended up being more like a 10 minute presentation by each "panelist" which often included a PowerPoint presentation.

First up was Clint Davis (Inuk), Vice President of Aboriginal Banking for TD Business Banking, talking about the economics of Aboriginal business. This was followed by Dr. Marie Delorme (Metis) who gave a heartwarming discussion that referenced the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People.

We are not resistant to change and development. We have always changed and adapted to our environment. We want to engage in that change, we want to author that change - we want to co-author that change. 

Dr. Marie Delorme 

Next up was Clayton Norris (Metis), who is the VP of Aboriginal Services at MNP. He discussed his viewpoint from an accountant's perspective. Ken Chapman, Executive Director of the Northern Initiatives for the Edmonton Economic Development rounded out the first panel. "We are in an industry in Canada that's under siege," he says. "We are just entering what I call Oil Sands 2.0." There was speculation amongst some conference attendees that he might be the one to shake things up. He spoke to the obligations of social license responsibly and made repeated mentions to the "triple bottom line."

Following a quick Q&A period we headed into lunch with a keynote presentation by Frank Oberle, Minister of Aboriginal Relations for Alberta and Deputy House Leader.

The afternoon panel is an Industry Forum: Working with Aboriginal Business and First Nations with moderator Janet Annesley, VP Communications at the Canadian Association for Petroleum Producers (CAPP). She was filling in for Dave Collyer, President CAPP, who was unable to make this conference as Annesley stated he had come down with a flu. Timely.

Mark Little, Executive VP, Upstream for Suncor Energy, kicked off this panel discussion discussing the Suncor investments into the local and Aboriginal economy. Next up was Colin Ashton, Production Improvement Manager of Shell Albian Sands, who made a statement about the importance of working with people on the ground, even when it comes to creating "wiggly ditches," which can actually become a challenge.

This statement pleased the next presenter Barrie Robb, CEO of Business Development of Fort McKay First Nation, as he worked it into his discussion on many occasions. I wonder if Ashton will ever live that statement down.

Robb had some very valuable points on Fort McKay's stance and his "Renting a Feather" discussion resonated with many people on both sides of the table. Last up was Peter Read, VP Strategic Planning for Syncrude Canada, who had a very orchestrated deck to share with the crowd. It was certainly informative, but it read like something that I could've read on their website just as easily.

The final panel of the day was the Best Practises Forum: Working in the Oil Industry: Including Success Stories, which was moderated by Dr. Marie Delorme. George Arcand Jr., CEO of Fort McKay First Nation, opened up the discussion talking about the importance of partnerships benefitting Aboriginal communities. Adam King, Manager of Site Services/Environment/Logistics for the Fort McKay First Nation Group of Companies was up next and spoke to the tremendous growth that they have had in the last three years.

George Lidgett, COO, Americas, for ATCO presented next followed by Nicole Bourque-Bouchier (Cree), CEO & Owner, The Bouchier Group. Her presentation resonated with both aspiring female entrepreneurs in the crowd, and Aboriginal entrepreneurs in general. The Bouchier Group employs over 750 people with a 55% Aboriginal workforce. Impressive indeed.

During this Q&A period things started to seem like they were going to get stirred up. Allan Adam from Fond-du-Lac asked the panel how long until a First Nation company will be able to build the site and produce their own oil? The room stood at a standstill waiting for someone to tackle that question. There were no clear answers for obvious reasons, but it was great to have that shift in the energy of the room with that bold question.

After we wrapped up the day's session and herded next door to the MNP VIP reception there were some discussions that took place about the day that left me pondering what tomorrow might hold. Industry types came to the conference with a genuine interest on creating open dialogue on the key issues and some felt that the day felt too safe and was typical of the many events of this nature that have been held before.

There is tension in the air and this diplomatic approach is appreciated, but there is a certain desire for deeper dialogue. We shall see how Day 2 unfolds and hope that there are more Adams in the audience willing to ask tough questions during the Q&A periods. Follow along @FortMckay and #EOSAC.

Further Coverage:

#EOSAC  coverage of Day 1 Gala here
#EOSAC coverage of Day 2 here

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Fort McKay and CCAB Bring Together the Oil Sands Players

There has been a flurry of media mentions last week as Fort McKay First Nation and Canada Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) gear up for the Energy and the Oil Sands Aboriginal Perspectives Conference taking place in Fort McMurray January 22-24, 2014.

JP Gladu, CEO of CCAB wrote about this partnership and the conference for the National Post in his weekly Financial Post 'Entrepreneur' column here.

"An impromptu meeting in Calgary between Chief Boucher and myself led to the development of a joint conference that would move the larger energy development issue forward — a national conversation and sharing of ideas that reflected the new reality and strength of Aboriginal business, energy, the oil sands and the Aboriginal perspective." JP Gladu

Gladu mentions in his piece that there are 600 major resource projects worth an estimated $650-billion that First Nations could potentially financially benefit from through oil and gas investment (according to this Fraser Institute study by Ravina Bains). He goes on to state that the environmental and business challenges that face Aboriginal communities give these communities a serious challenge to navigate the demands of major corporations and engage in much needed economic development, while paying heed to the social, environmental and health concerns of the community and future generations."

This sentiment is echoed in the Claudia Cattaneo National Post piece that was republished in the Ottawa Citizen, Canada.com and Regina's Leader-Post.

With tensions flaring between oil sands companies and First Nations in the Athabasca region of Alberta over growing development, the Fort McKay band is hosting a conference Jan. 23 and 24 in Fort McMurray to bring together all players. Claudia Cattaneo

This is a very electric time in the oil sands and this conference focuses on the issues that have the industry at a standstill: Working with Aboriginal business and First Nations, Treaty and Aboriginal Rights, and Aboriginal environmental concerns when working with the oil industry.

Register now (*Update 20.01.14 - Registration is now closed) to attend the Energy and the Oil Sands Aboriginal Perspectives Conference at $1,000 for attendance in all conference sessions and the Gala Banquet. You can get the registration form online here and see the full schedule online here.

For more information and / or for sponsorship opportunities contact
Frederick McDonald at: frederickrmcd@gmail.com or at: 1-780-370-8374

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Energy and the Oil Sands Aboriginal Perspectives Conference

As you gear up from your holiday break, you’ll want to mark this exciting conference in your 2014 calendar. 

January 22 – 24, 2014 at the Sawridge Inn & Conference Center in Fort McMurray, AB the Fort McKay First Nation (FMFN) in partnership with the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) will present Energy and the Oil Sands, Aboriginal Perspectives.

Panel topics will include:

• Economics Overview - the oil industry: the present state and future outlook
• Industry Forum – working with Aboriginal business and First Nations
• Best Practices Presentation – working in the oil industry, including success stories
• Networking in the Oil Industry – how associations work on behalf of Aboriginal business
• Aboriginal Perspectives and Issues – Treaty and Aboriginal rights
• The Environment – State of address and working with the oil industry

Speaker list includes: 

• Chief Jim Boucher, McKay First Nation
• JP Gladu, CEO Canada Council for Aboriginal Business
• Chief Allan Adam, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
• Bill Gallagher, LL.B., Lawyer, Strategist, Author – Resource Rulers
• John Rhind, Vice President Heavy Oil, Shell
• Peter Read, Vice President, Syncrude
• David Tuccaro, President & Owner, Tuccaro Inc.
• Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, CEO & Owner, Bouchier Group
• David Collyer, President, Canadian Association Petroleum Producers (CAPP)
• Mitch Mercredi, President, Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA)
• Dr. Kevin F. Nagel, President & CEO, Keyano College
• Dr. Karim-Aly Saleh Kassam, International Proffesor, Cornell University
• Dr. Marie Delorme, President & CEO, Imagination Group                

This event will be breaking new ground as it’s the first for this type of in-depth oil sands conference in northern Alberta. The emcee is Wab Kinew, who is known most notable for hosting The 8th Fire series by CBC and who will be sure to be creating meaningful discussions. The important and very timely topics will cover topics and key issues about First Nations and Aboriginal businesses, economic development, best practices, and the environmental concerns in northern Alberta, and will be applicable to regions beyond.

In addition to the insights given by panel discussions at the conference, there will also be a gala banquet on Thursday evening that will feature Adam Beach as the emcee and have performances by musician Don Amero.

It is $750 to register as a conference delegate, $350 for the Gala Banquet and $1,000 for attendance in all conference sessions and the Gala Banquet. You can get the registration form online here and see the full schedule online here. (Update 20.01.14: Registration is now closed)

For more information and / or for sponsorship opportunities contact

Frederick McDonald at: frederickrmcd@gmail.com or at: 1-780-370-8374

Photo of Chief Boucher by Stuart Gradon of Postmedia News. Photo of Adam Beach from CBC.

Eagle Sponsor: 

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Additional Sponsors:

Silver Sponsor: Karin Buss Professional Corp, Teck Resources Ltd.

Notebook Sponsor: Nation Imagination, the Aboriginal Gifting Company

Coffee Break Sponsor: Ackroyd LLP

VIP Reception Sponsor: MNP

Pre-Registration Sponsor: Bouchier Group