INDIGENOUS RELATIONS

We recognize the unique rights of Indigenous Peoples consistent with the principles set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

As some of our operations occur on traditional or ancestral land, it is important that we foster a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with these communities through actively addressing concerns and considering potential operational impacts. By investing in, and working closely with, our Indigenous partners, we will build a strong reputation, while also mitigating planning and operational risks.
Indigenous Chart

Our Indigenous Commitment

Our Indigenous Commitment outlines four key principles – Community, Connect, Partner and Action – that guide our efforts to support Indigenous inclusion and opportunity.

This principle-based approach is grounded in the traditional Indigenous Medicine Wheel. The traditional wheel represents the interconnectedness of the natural world and how all things grow and work together. The Medicine Wheel reminds us that we need to balance all four principles of being–the spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental. Similar to the Medicine Wheel, our Indigenous Commitment reflects a holistic and ongoing approach rather than a linear process, striking a balance between each of the four principles.

Community

We are committed to building strong and respectful relationships with our Indigenous partners. At Ovintiv, fostering trusted and transparent dialogue with the Indigenous communities across our operating areas is part of our culture and how we operate.

Connect

We recognize the importance of preserving Indigenous culture. We partner with local organizations, engage leaders, and participate in community programs. We also provide cultural awareness training to employees and offer staff opportunities to gain new perspectives on Indigenous ways of thinking and doing. In Canada, we are committed to doing our part toward reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples as outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) recommendations.

Partner

Our relationships with American Indian Tribes and Canadian First Nations in the areas where we operate have been built over time and are defined by our mutual commitment to building resilient Indigenous communities.

Action

We are committed to creating economic benefit through action, employment and respect of applicable tribal ordinances. From enhancing inclusive supply chain and hiring practices to making meaningful, strategic investments, we are working to ensure Indigenous-led companies have access to economic opportunities within our operations.

Our Commitment in Action

Land and Water Stewardship Tours

Field tours provide a unique opportunity for Ovintiv staff to offer a local perspective of oil and natural gas operations and bring to life the reality of resource development, including our efforts to manage our impacts on the air, land and water, while fostering meaningful dialogue with our Indigenous partners. We learn about their interests, knowledge and concerns while providing our own insights and awareness of the areas where we operate.

Indigenous – Land and Water Stewardship Tours

Indigenous – Land and Water Stewardship Tours

Tree Planting

In collaboration with the Saulteau First Nations and with the help of Moberly Lake Elementary students and staff, our team planted over 1,400 trees on the Saulteau First Nations Reserve and crown land near pipelines in our Canadian Operations in spring 2024. The Saulteau First Nations environmental restoration program (Aski) integrates ecological and First Nations’ knowledge with environmental, reclamation, and restoration initiatives. Aski is committed to seeing the recovery of Indigenous land and treaty rights, while developing sustainable solutions with industrial partners who support the local economy.

Preservation of Indigenous Cultures

In 2024, Ovintiv entered the second year of our commitment of C$400,000 in funding over three years supporting the preservation of Indigenous culture through the development of a museum and interpretive center at the Tse’k’wa National Historic Site in Charlie Lake. The site is the result of a unique collaboration between the Doig River First Nation (DRFN), Prophet River First Nation and West Moberly First Nations.

Indigenous Celebrations

As part of our ongoing efforts to connect with our Indigenous stakeholders and partners, each year we participate in events such as Doig River Days, Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary and Saulteau First Nations Culture Camp. In 2024, we celebrated inaugural events in the Grande Prairie area. In March, we were honored to sponsor Indigenous Night with the Grande Prairie Storm. Local Indigenous artist, Fran Rogers designed limited edition jerseys for the night and opened the game at the puck drop ceremony. In June, we presented Indian Relay Racing, where over a dozen First Nations took part, showcasing the heritage and athleticism of the sport.

Aboriginal-awareness-Week

Indigenous Awareness Training

We are committed to providing all staff with opportunities to engage with and learn about the cultural significance and contributions of Indigenous Peoples to promote greater understanding of our shared history. In addition to internal Indigenous awareness training, we also provide opportunities for employees to engage directly with Indigenous communities and their members to enable further dialogue and deepen employees’ understanding of Indigenous history, cultural distinctions and nekaneew meeskanas (forward path).

In honor of Red Dress Day, in May 2024 Ovintiv hosted an Indigenous Connect Day in Calgary featuring an insightful presentation from Indigenous Elders to discuss gender roles within Indigenous communities. Also, in collaboration with another energy producer, Ovintiv hosted a July 2024 workshop with DRFN Elders to educate our Canadian staff on the historical context of the DRFN treaty and share stories of their historic litigation. The event not only provided a valuable and unique experience to hear directly from the elders but was also an opportunity for our staff to ask questions about the role we play in reconciliation and building a mutually beneficial relationship.

Capacity Building and Education

We support Indigenous inclusion through employment and procurement strategies, opportunities for training and capacity building.

Supporting education is a cornerstone of our Indigenous strategy that provides long-term benefits for the community. Ovintiv is proud to continue providing bursaries as well as books and supplies for Indigenous students enrolled in post-secondary education in the U.S. and Canada. We also work closely with Indigenous and Tribal leaders to identify education programs that help build strong and healthy communities.

Ovintiv’s support for Indigenous learning in the U.S. reflects a total annual commitment of $35,000, including the Elton Blackhair Indigenous Tribe Member Scholarship in the amount of $10,000 for an Indigenous Ute Tribe member attending the Wasatch Academy and the Ovintiv Native American Scholarship, a one-time award of $5,000 offered annually to five students from a federally recognized tribe attending the University of Utah, with a preference for students from the Ute Indian Tribe.

Ovintiv’s support for Indigenous learning in Canada has been established for several years and reflects a total annual commitment of C$66,000 over four educational institutions, including the University of Alberta, UBC Sauder School of Business, Northwestern Polytechnic and Northern Lights College. Our scholarships are open to students who are Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) to Canada, with a preference given to local students.