Alberta Key Environmental Conflicts
Oil and gas regulation in Alberta has been created to mitigate concerns expressed by Aboriginal communities through arm’s length government industry councils. To date, there has been no comprehensive study of the cumulative environmental or health impacts of tar sands development, despite repeated calls from First Nations for this basic data. Several initiatives have been created, such as the Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA) and the Regional Aquatic Monitoring Program (RAMP), however, these programs have been widely criticized as being pro-industry and ineffective. For example, when CEMA called for a moratorium on new developments, the government of Alberta ignored the report and approved projects regardless.
In response, First Nations in Alberta have engaged legal, political, community research and direct action as strategies to express concerns regarding tar sands developments. However, Aboriginal communities near the tar sands also strongly rely on tar sands development for income and jobs, creating a tension within communities.
Athabasca Tribal Council
Fort McKay First Nation
Located about 65 km north of Fort McMurray. Population 619 band members, 401 living on reserve. Fort McKay is surrounded by oilsands mining operations and has the longest standing relationship with tar sands developments as early projects in the 1960’s and 70’s were located adjacent to Fort McKay’s traditional territories. In general, Fort Mckay has been supportive of tar sands developments during the recent period of rapid tar sands development.[1] Indeed, Fort McKay has several businesses serving tar sands production and has proposed a mining development on their traditional territory.[2] The community is promoted by industry as a ‘success story’ regarding jobs, local economics and First Nations relations. Indeed, in 2010, the Fort McKay Group of Companies profited $140 million from its tar sands ventures and employing 500 people in the community (see more here).
However, several band members have expressed strong concern about tar sands developments[3] and a tailings pond spill in December 2010 strengthened these concerns.[4] In 2011, Global Community Monitor, Keepers of the Athabasca, Sierra Club Prairie, and Greenpeace assisted Fort McKay in setting up a ‘bucket brigade’ to test air quality, as residents felt monitoring by the Alberta government has been inadequate to date (see more here).
In the fall of 2011, Fort McKay was selected by the Alberta government to be included in a regional cancer study (see more here). However, the study has created some discontent with neighboring communities as residents and band councilors in Fort Chipewyan have not been able to reach an agreement with Alberta Health for their participation in the study, mainly due to disagreements about industry participation in the study, which some feel will compromise the integrity of the study (seem more here).
Mikisew Cree First Nation
Located approximately 225 km north of Fort McMurray, MCFN is one of two First Nations in the community of Fort Chipewyan. MCFN has a population of 2500 members and is the largest band in the Athabasca Tribal Council, although it also has the smallest reserve area (5,111 ha). Some MCFN band members have been outspoken opponents to tar sands production and demanded inquiries into health and wildlife concerns. MCFN first publically raised concerns about tar sands in a 2004 CNRL hearing articulating concerns about health and cumulative environmental impacts (see more here). However, it was not until Dr. John O’Connor called for a public study in 2006 into cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan that the concerns garned national attention (see more here).
MCFN has increasingly been concerned with both the quality and quantity of water in the Athabasca (see more here). The construction of the Bennett Dam in BC in the 1960’s caused a serious drop in water flow to the Peace River, resulting in loss of spring floods and proved devastating to local ecosystems for several species, muskrat in particular.
In 2007, the Nunee Health Authority released the results of a study undertaken by Dr. Kevin Timoney that confirmed suspicions raised by Elders about water and food contamination in the Athabasca Delta (see report here). Timoney highlighted that residents downstream of tar sands operations experienced elevated health risks associated with higher concentrations of PAH’s, mercury and arsenic, particularly for those that ate country foods.
In 2008, in conjunction with the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs, the Pembina Institute and the Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA), MCFN was part of a call for a moratorium on further tar sands development in three ecologically sensitive regions (see more here). In 2008, the government of Alberta dismissed the call for a moratorium (see more here), catalyzing several Mikisew and several other First Nations to walk away from the CEMA process.
In 2009, the Alberta Health Board released a study that found a 30% higher cancer incidence rate for the citizens of Fort Chipewyan over the general population (see report here). The report refuted Dr. O’Connor’s earlier concerns about elevated rates of cholangiocarcinoma cancer. However, residents of Fort Chipewyan rejected the study as incomplete as it did not include any input from the community and relied on incomplete data. Many in the community feel the rates are much higher than reported by the Alberta Health Board. Indeed, Alberta Health has continually downplayed contamination in country foods. In 2006, Suncor released results of a study that indicated moose meat was contaminated with 453 times the acceptable concentration of arsenic. Alberta health put the rate at ‘only’ 17-33 times the acceptable rate (see more here and here).
Despite continuous calls by both grassroots band members and elected officials for a comprehensive study into the impacts of pollution associated with tar sands on MCFN, the Alberta Government has failed to meaningfully negotiate or provide funding for such a study.
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
http://www.acfn.com/#!home/mainPage
ACFN is the second largest population in the ATC with approximately 900 band members and has the largest reserve areas (37 767 ha). Most ACFN band members live in the community of Fort Chipewyan and ACFN has been arguably the most outspoken First Nation on tar sands issues. See ACFN band members speaking on tar sands here, here and here.
ACFN first intervened in tar sands hearings in 1997 during Suncor’s application to develop the Steepbank mine extension. In 1998, ACFN signed a memoriam of understanding with Suncor to address ACFN’s concerns regarding ecological impacts. Since 1997, ACFN has been active in addressing ecological and social impacts for projects affecting their lands.
In 2008, ACFN filed against the government of Alberta, citing lack of consultation regarding five leases around ACFN's Poplar Point reserve that Alberta sold to Shell and other companies for over $50 million between 2006 and 2007 (see more here). However the case was dismissed over a small technical issue, as ACFN had not met a 6 month filing window, though the consultation had been posted on an obscure website not readily accessible to the band (see more here). Had the case succeeded, it would have radically altered the ability of the Alberta Government to grant leases.
In 2011, during the UN COP, ACFN announced plans to sue Shell for failing to meet contractual obligations it had made with ACFN (see ACFN webpage on lawsuit here; hear report on lawsuit from community member here). Shell is one of the largest players in tar sands, producing approximately 276,000 barrels per day (bpd), or roughly 20% of total exports from Alberta, through the Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP). Since start up in 2003, the AOSP holds ‘regulatory approvals’ to extract 470,000 bpd and refine 290,000 bpd of tar sands in Alberta. Currently, Shell is seeking to expand AOSP’s production capacity to a total of 770,000 bpd and 690,000 refining capacity, aiming for full operation by 2018.
Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation
The Chipewyan Prairie First Nation Reserve is located approximately 120 km S.E. of Fort McMurray, Alberta and has a population of about 740 people. CPDFN has both contested and supported tar sands development. In 2008, the band filed suit against the government of Alberta for lack of consultation on the MEG Energy Corp.'s Christina Lake Regional Project, Phase 3 (see more here and here). The suit has been settled out of court.
In 2012, Chief Janvier created controversy amongst First Nations activists for supporting the Northern Gateway project on Sun TV with the infamous Ezra Levant (see video here).
Fort McMurray No. 468 First Nation
http://atc97.org/first-nations/fort-mcmurray-no-468-first-nation
FMFN is has reserves located 20 km and 50 km from Fort McMurray, and has a population of approximately 500 people. The largest settlement is Anzac. FMFN is heavily involved in tar sands production. Nexen has created scholarships for Anzac youth to ensure ‘benefits’ from the Long Lake in situ development located adjacent to the community (read more here).
Lubicon Lake Cree First Nation
http://www.lubiconlakenation.ca/
Lubicon is approximately 450 km away from Edmonton, with a population of about 200 people. It is located adjacent to the Peace River tar sands deposit. Lubicon is considered unceeded territory, and has not signed treaty with the Government of Canada. The Lubicon were too remote and were missed by Indian agents in the making of Treaty 8.
The Lubicon Cree gained international headlines in 1988 when the community embarrassed corporate sponsors of the 1988 Olympic games, declared soveriegty and set up a blockade to keep oil and gas and developers out of there traditional territory (see backgrounder on Lubicon Cree here).
In 1990, the United Nations Human Rights Committee ruled that the Government of Canada had violated the rights of the Lubicon, based on lack of negotiation of regarding Lubicon land and destruction of their way of life from rapid oil and gas development (see more on UN decision here).
Currently, approximately 2,600 oil and gas wells have been drilled on Lubicon land. Almost 70% of Lubicon territory has been leased for non-renewable resource extraction. About 1 400 km2 have been leased for tar sands development (see more).
Beaver Lake Cree First Nation
http://www.beaverlakecreenation.ca/
BLCFN is located approximately 200 km north east of Edmonton near Lac La Biche, and is located in the Cold Lake region of tar sands development. Beaver Lake has a population of approximately 900 and is signatory to Treaty 6. In 2008, Beaver Lake came to prominence when the community filed suit with the Alberta Government, citing nearly 20 000 treaty violations related to tar sand developments. Both the Province of Alberta and the Government of Canada have unsuccessfully attempted to have the case thrown out of court and the lawsuit will proceed to trial.
There have been significant impacts to BLCFN traditional territories. In particular, a huge decline in caribou herds has impacted traditional culture and food sovereignty. BLCFN has gained international attention through the lawsuit and has worked with several NGO’s to raise the profile of the community, including The Cooperative Bank.
http://www.raventrust.com/beaverlakecree.html
Cold Lake First Nation
http://www.clfns.com/index.php
CLFN is located 300 km North East of Edmonton and has a total band membership of over 2000. CLFN is Denesuline (Chipewyan) Tribe and is located in near the Cold Lake tar sands development region, primarily in situ processes. CLFN is also located adjacent to the Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range and in 2002 CLFN ratified a deal with the Minister of Indian Affairs to access the grounds for hunting and fishing.
CLFN has memorandum of understanding with five major oil companies in the area and operates several companies who provide services for tar sands. However, there has also been opposition in the community to expansion developments. In May, 2012, Chief Janvier was critical of pipeline expansion on CLFN lands citing lack of consultation (see more here).
In May, 2011, community members with support from Chief and Council began an occupation of land on Berry Point near Cold Lake that lasted until August, 2011. The occupation was held to bring attention to a land dispute with Parks Canada, but became a space where community members linked the camp to tar sands expansions and impacts on traditional ways of life (hear more on blockade here, read more here).
[1] Fort McKay was the only First Nation to remain involved with the CEMA process after 4 other First Nations pulled out the of the process. Moreover, Fort McKay is often heralded by industry as a ‘model’ community for triple helix relationships.
[2] http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/financialpost/story.html?id=b4d4fc1c-49cf-4980-9864-c994de05e53a&k=3443
[3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kG2sJAn47QI
[4] http://rabble.ca/news/2010/11/tar-sands-tailings-poisons-muskeg-and-nearby-first-nations-community
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This page was peer-reviewed in September 2013. We’d like to acknowledge the assistance of the external reviewers and Dave Campanelli, Dave Vasey, and Amanda Chrisanthus for contributing to this webpage content.
