Prince George, B.C.– A partnership between UNBC researchers and the Sahtú Land and Water Board (SLWB) is empowering Indigenous communities to actively shape the future reclamation of their ancestral lands. The Norman Wells Oilfield in the Northwest Territories has been operated by Imperial Oil for more than a century and is set to close and undergo reclamation within the next 10 years.

This collaboration is focused on enhancing how Sahtú Dene and Métis communities participate in reclamation processes, a right that was solidified in the 1994 Sahtú Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. This agreement granted communities greater authority in environmental decision-making, but left gaps in outlining clear, meaningful engagement processes. To address these gaps, UNBC researchers are working closely with the SWLB to enhance community-driven research and ensure effective collaboration.

"This work is about creating pathways for meaningful engagement," says Canada Research Chair in Cumulative Impacts of Environmental Change and UNBC Department of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Tristan Pearce. "It demonstrates how community-researcher partnerships can directly support communities in addressing critical environmental and cultural challenges."

A key facilitator in this effort is SLWB Northern and Indigenous Community Engagement Specialist Annie King. With support from the board, King completed her Master of Arts in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies with a focus on Geography under Pearce’s supervision in 2023. Her role has proven instrumental in the project's ongoing success.

“Working with the Sahtú Land and Water Board has enabled me to effectively apply the knowledge and skills I developed at UNBC, directly contributing to meaningful community outcomes,” King says. “The project builds on the Board’s strong relationships with Sahtú communities, enabling a genuine integration of research insights with local priorities. Ultimately, it aims to ensure that Sahtú perspectives and values remain central to guiding reclamation decisions, creating outcomes that truly reflect community goals.”

This commitment to embedding Sahtú Dene and Métis perspectives is helping to position those communities to lead sustainable and culturally meaningful reclamation initiatives

“This collaboration demonstrates the power of community-centered research,” says UNBC’s Vice President of Research and Innovation Dr. Paula Wood-Adams. “By ensuring Indigenous knowledge guides environmental decisions, the project not only addresses significant regional challenges but also creates valuable opportunities for students and strengthens community engagement in the North.”