Indigenous engagement in oilfield remediation: a case study of the Norman Wells Oilfield, Northwest Territories, Canada

Abstract

Trust and mutual understanding are critical to meaningful engagement in natural resource development projects, yet a lack of intercultural competency, trust, and culturally appropriate methods continues to limit effective engagement with Indigenous communities in northern Canada. This paper responds to the need for a greater understanding of how community engagement processes include Indigenous perspectives in Northern Canada particularly in reclamation and closure planning. It focuses on the Indigenous people of the Sahtú region’s experience with the closure and reclamation of the Norman Wells Oilfield in the Northwest Territories. Data were collected through 42 semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions with Sahtú people, and an analysis of past engagement records. Findings reveal that past engagement approaches taken by Imperial Oil to engage are perceived by interviewees to have been ineffective due to misalignment with relational values and norms of governance and communication. The format of engagement has been incompatible with local cultural expectations, resulting in limited dialogue and limited diversity of perspectives. Infrequent and unidirectional engagement have resulted in a loss of trust, violation of Dene principles of reciprocity and respect, and overall ineffective engagement. Meaningful future engagement rooted in local Indigenous ontological frameworks and epistemes can enable relational healing through reclamation and advance reconciliation in environmental governance.