Fort McKay First Nation and Suncor sign MOU on future oilsands development

Fort McKay First Nation and Suncor Energy are partnering on a prospective oilsands lease development on reserve lands. The chief calls it "the true meaning of reconciliation."

Fort McKay First Nation and Suncor Energy announced Thursday they’re partnering on a prospective oilsands lease development on the northeast corner of reserve lands.

Exploratory work will take place on Lease 174C, which is on Fort McKay reserve lands in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and respectively Fort McKay First Nation Traditional Territory.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU), Suncor is conducting “early stage technical and commercial feasibility assessments to determine the quality and quantity of economically recoverable mineable ore,” the First Nation said in a news release.

“With this agreement, we are creating the conditions for sustainable prosperity, growth and health for our nation for generations to come, while leading the way on protecting our land and water,” Fort McKay First Nation Chief Raymond Powder said.

Chief Powder said the project will bring economic growth and employment to Fort McKay First Nation, but it will do so much more than that.

“It’s also to assert who we are as First Nations, our sovereignty, in our relationship with the land, the water and the air,” he said.

“Where we can actually have influence over the development of our reserves, and we will have that advantage to that level … It’s to sustain the growth of our nation and our community, that means in programs and services and infrastructure,” Powder said.

“It’s also about protecting the nation’s land, water and air. We can do this and we have done it … No one is more qualified to do this work, growing the economy and protecting the environment than we are in our region.”