Indicators of Cultural Change

December 1, 2009 -

Uniquely situated amidst intense oil sand development in NE Alberta, the Community of Fort McKay (comprised of First Nation and Métis community members) is conducting a Cumulative Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment to describe the effect industrial development; in particular oil sands development, has had on the cultural heritage of Fort McKay people. To assist in this project, the Human Environment Group were retained to engage a cross section of the Fort McKay community to develop a list of Fort McKay cultural values, describe industry stressors affecting these cultural values, and develop a list of cultural indicators that may be considered to measure industry stressors that affect culture and to measure cultural change. Research methods included a literature review of community and regional documents and academic papers, community workshops and focus groups. A model, validated by the Community, was created to represent the findings.

Working to help preserve

July 7, 2009 -

Papua New Guinea is one of the most fascinating and culturally diverse countries on earth. Located in the Pacific Ocean (north of Australia) a population of just under six million is comprised of nearly 1,000 traditional societies, speaking an estimated 850 languages! Incredibly, many of these groups only had first contact with non-indigenous peoples in the 1960s. Truly, there is no place on this planet where a traditional way of life has been so thoroughly maintained and preserved in this modern age.

Naturally, any plans to develop resources in a remote region where the indigenous populations rely so directly on the land requires extreme care and sensitivity. ExxonMobil (together with Focus Corporation of Edmonton) is currently developing a natural gas field in the central highlands of Papua New Guinea. The plan involves piping gas through the jungle to the coast where it will be shipped as Liquid Natural Gas. The companies have been guided to ensure all plans meet strict international standards, including those set forth by the World Bank and International Financial Corporation.

Based on our extensive experience in working with aboriginal societies both internationally and in Canada, The HEG has been engaged to develop an Indigenous People’s Development Plan and a Stakeholder Engagement Plan.

HEG was selected due to our expertise integrating issues and concerns of indigenous communities into the policies and programs of large resource companies. Rob Stuart, Jose Zorrilla and the other members of the HEG team are working on this project, and hope to develop a solution that will serve as a model of responsible development in one of the world’s most unique and culturally diverse areas.

HEG Celebrates its 5th Anniversary!

April 14, 2009 -

HEG continues work on Community Advisory Task Group

The Human Environment Group (HEG) is now five years old.  To kick off our sixth year, we are pleased to welcome Erin Slater back to the company.  Erin is coming back as a partner with the HEG, and will play an important role in our future. 

Over the past five years we have completed more than 200 projects with a variety of clients and partners. The location of our projects ranged from across Canada in five provinces and two territories to our international work in Central America, South America and now South East Asia.
 
We’ve been very fortunate over the past five years to have worked with lots of great people and we really feel it is the interesting projects and people that make our work so enjoyable. Thanks to all our friends and partners- we’re looking forward to the next five years.

HEG continues work on Community Advisory Task Group

January 12, 2009 -

The Human Environment Group (HEG) recently completed facilitating a dozen workshops with over 100 local stakeholders in the Edmonton region. The HEG's work focused on providing third-party facilitation between local stakeholders and EPCOR and AltaLink regarding electrical transmission developments in the area. The HEG has so far worked in 20 workshops and open houses on this project. The work in the most recent phase of the project included leading the participants through a mock transmission routing exercise. The process was very well received by the participants and through word of mouth; other groups in the area have come forward and have asked to have the same workshop at in their community. The HEG will continue to work with local stakeholders and industry participants on this process over the next several months.

HEG Celebrates opening of Salt Spring Island office

April 18, 2008 -

HEG Partner Carrie Oloriz has recently relocated to Salt Spring Island, B.C., to operate HEG's west coast office, and better serve our British Columbian clients. Carrie will continue to support the Calgary office while also focusing on key areas of service for B.C. clients.

The Salt Spring office will offer services in the following primary areas: Aboriginal Engangement and EIA Project Management, Aboriginal Consultation Planning and Support, Community based programs including Traditional Studies, environmental monitoring programs and environmental assessment, Environmental communications, and Aboriginal Issues related to large scale development.

Carrie will continue to work out of the Calgary office about one week per month, and you can still contact her with a local call to our Calgary office number (266-2677 ext. 2).