Frustrated chiefs want meeting with Husky CEO
Almost a year after a Husky Energy Inc. pipeline disgorged thousands of litres of crude oil into the North Saskatchewan River, the head of the federation representing Saskatchewan’s First Nations wants to discuss the spill and its aftermath with the Calgary-based company’s new chief executive.
Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron called for a meeting with Husky CEO Robert Peabody this week — days after reports of oil slicks on the river near North Battleford, about 100 kilometres downstream from the spill site, prompted Red Pheasant First Nation Chief Clinton Wuttunnee to call for better relations between First Nations and resource companies.
“It’s what our chiefs want. They’re tired and frustrated with dealing with the low-level staff,” Cameron said. “There is some dialogue that has happened but they want a face-to-face meeting with the CEO.”
Peabody was not available for an interview Wednesday. Husky spokesman Mel Duvall said in an email that the company — which has committed at least $107 million to clean up efforts following the spill — is “following up” on Cameron’s request. Both Cameron and Duvall said the time and place of the meeting have yet to be determined.
Testing is expected to confirm whether the oil discovered on the Red Pheasant First Nation came from Husky’s pipeline. Cameron is skeptical of Husky’s claim that only 15,000 litres of the 225,000 litres estimated to have spilled on July 20 and 21, 2016, remains unaccounted for. He said he stands by the First Nation’s assessment that the oil slicks are a result of the spill.
“For us, it has always been the significance and the importance of our elders being the experts of our lands and waters — our hunters, fishers, trappers, gatherers who know the landscape, being fully involved with this assessment,” he said.
A meeting between Cameron and Peabody would be a victory in Saskatchewan indigenous groups’ long battle to have their concerns about environmental contamination recognized.
Cameron said it’s vital that government and industry recognize First Nations’ inherent and treaty rights, and work harder to include them.
“We’ve always maintained that (partnerships) have to happen,” he said, noting the Alberta government announced last week that an Indigenous Wisdom Advisory Panel will advise that province’s chief scientist on environmental matters. It’s an example of what governments and industry can to to include First Nations groups, Cameron said.
Duvall said the spill last year gave Husky “an opportunity to forge closer ties” with Saskatchewan indigenous groups.
He said the cleanup operation resulted in “business opportunities” for 10 First Nations.
An additional 20 members of five communities received a mentorship and environmental training program, he added.
“We continue to meet with First Nations communities regularly and we hope to leverage our closer ties to develop further business, mentorship and employment opportunities at our growing operations in the Lloydminster and North Battleford regions.”
Husky announced last year that it plans to spend $1 billion on new projects in the region over the next several years.
The Husky spill was a “watershed moment” in the way Saskatchewan residents think about pipeline safety and regulation, and a meeting between Cameron and Peabody would be a “very positive step” toward establishing better environmental protection for First Nations lands, said Saskatchewan Environmental Society board member Peter Prebble.
For example, a productive relationship between First Nations and energy companies could lead to the recognition that treaty lands are vulnerable to spills and the installation of improved leak detection equipment, automatic shut-off valves and pipes with heavy walls resistant to ground movement at vital river crossings, Prebble said.
Stronger ties could also result in better notification and communication procedures in the event of another spill, he added.
At the same time, the provincial government — which the auditor said this week is “not doing enough” to ensure pipelines are safe — needs to be a partner in talks aimed at improving environmental protection, he said.
The provincial government has been encouraging Husky to forge better relations with First Nations groups, and is reviewing its own efforts at engagement following the spill, which showed there is “room for improvement,” Ministry of Environment spokesman Wes Kotyk said.
The upcoming meeting between Cameron and Peabody is one example of the company’s progress, Kotyk added. The government has extended an invitation to consult with First Nations groups, and is open to considering ideas such as Alberta’s Indigenous Wisdom Advisory Panel, he said.