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.

SPOTLIGHT

Supporting the Preservation of Indigenous Cultures

In summer 2023, Ovintiv announced C$400,000 in funding over three years to support 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, Prophet River First Nation and West Moberly First Nations.

 

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. 

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 minimize 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

Connect

We recognize the importance of preserving Indigenous culture. We encourage staff across our organization to participate in and gain new perspectives on Indigenous ways of thinking and doing. This includes partnering with local organizations, engaging leaders and participating in community programs.

Listening and learning are essential to being a good partner, which is why we also provide cultural awareness training to employees. 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. 

Doig River Days

A team of Ovintiv staff spent the day at Doig River First Nations learning first hand about Indigenous ways of being.

Pemmican Days

Pemmican Days, Saulteau First Nation.

Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary (AAWC)

Ovintiv team members participated in an Indigenous Handgames tournament as part of the AAWC Pow Wow.

Community Support

Spirit of the Peace Pow Wow, Taylor, British Columbia.

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).  

Indigenous Training

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. 

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.

Elton Blackhair Indigenous Tribe Member Scholarship – Wasatch Academy

Ovintiv and the Wasatch Academy offer a $10,000 scholarship for an Indigenous Ute Tribe member attending the Wasatch Academy. The scholarship is named in memory of Elton Blackhair. Elton was an Ovintiv employee, a member of the Ute Indian Tribe, an Academy graduate and was committed to improving relations between various tribes across the U.S.

The Wasatch Academy’s mission is to educate students from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds and equip graduates with the educational foundation, personal maturity and confidence to succeed in life.

The Ovintiv Native American Scholarship – The University of Utah

The Ovintiv Native American Scholarship is offered annually to students from a federally recognized tribe, with a preference for students from the Ute Indian Tribe.

This scholarship will help advance the University of Utah American Indian Resource Center’s (AIRC) mission of recruiting and retaining Native American students through graduation. The Ovintiv Native American Scholarship provides financial aid to offset the cost of tuition and/or any other education-related expenses to promising students selected by the AIRC Scholarship Selection Committee. The one-time award of $5,000 is offered to five students for a total annual scholarship commitment of $25,000.

Canadian Post-Secondary Indigenous Scholarships

Ovintiv’s support for Indigenous learning in Canada has been established for several years, however we recently created a new award at the University of Alberta and increased award amounts for our UBC Sauder School of Business and Northwestern Polytechnic scholarships.

  • University of Alberta – Five awards at C$5,000 each
  • UBC Sauder School of Business – Five awards at C$5,000 each
  • Northwestern Polytechnic – Five awards at C$2,000 each
  • Northern Lights College – Six awards at C$1,000 each

These scholarships reflect a total annual commitment of C$66,000. Our scholarships are open to students who are Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) to Canada, with a preference given to local students.

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.

When Ovintiv received a call from Blueberry River First Nations’ Restoration Department regarding perishable seedlings that were at risk of being lost during wildfire season, our team responded with agility to provide these future trees a new home, contributing to our efforts to heal the land. Approximately 9,000 seedlings, including tamarack, pine and spruce varietals, were sourced and planted on an Ovintiv site in our Canadian operations to complement reclamation work already underway.

Throughout 2023 with the help of several Indigenous communities, we were able to plant over 60,000 trees as part of our efforts to promote biodiversity and ecosystem health, completing the cycle of sustainability and jointly contributing to a greener future.