Indigenous Strength
A Place of Indigenous Strength
The strong Cree, Dene and Métis communities here are rich in collaborative spirit and historical, cultural and economic importance.
Flourishing through economic participation that shows a path forward for the rest of Canada and provides strength to our economy. Representing two paths – tradition and innovation, bridging history and the journey forward. A place of deep culture and tradition that goes back millennia, yet tied to a place of extraordinary natural resource development. While honouring the land, Indigenous Peoples are foundational to prosperity here, through leadership, pride, and a return to the Indigenous way of knowing.
Intention
Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo includes a large urban and rural Indigenous population. This website uses the term “Indigenous” respectfully to describe the original Peoples of the land (First Nations and Métis) The term “Indigenous” has been adopted by the provincial and federal government and used around the world.
Treaty 8
Treaty 8 Land Acknowledgement
With gratitude, we acknowledge this land is Treaty 8 Territory, the traditional lands of the Cree, Dene, and the unceded territory of the Métis people.
Discover the Language
Did you know? Michif is the traditional language of the Métis.
App
Gabriel Dumont Institute Michif language translator app - Apple Store
Download the Gabriel Dumont Institute Michif To Go app from the Apple Store.
App
Gabriel Dumont Institute Michif language translator app - Google Play Store
Download the Gabriel Dumont Institute Michif To Go app from the Google Play Store.
Download and use the apps to explore and translate into the local Indigenous languages of Cree and Dene.
App
ATC Cree app - Apple Store
Download the Athabasca Tribal Council Cree language translator app from the Apple Store.
App
ATC Cree App - Google Play
Download the Athabasca Tribal Council Cree language translator app from the Google Play Store
App
ATC Dene app - Apple Store
Download the Athabasca Tribal Council Dene language translator app from the Apple Store.
App
ATC Dene App - Google Play
Download the Athabasca Tribal Council Dene language translator app from the Google Play Store
Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre
Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo has a Friendship Centre that offers a broad selection of programs and services to meet the needs of the Indigenous people they support—strengthening and building upon traditional values and culture.
Steeped in History
Life here celebrates time-honoured traditions, a natural and authentic way of life, and love for the land and water.
Records dating back as early as the 1700s highlight the Chipewyan and Beaver people who are indigenous to the Athabasca Region. In fact, recent archeological evidence indicates this area has been occupied by First Nations people for as long as 9,000 years. By the mid-1870s, many other people followed to make their home in the region, including the Cree, Métis and Euro-Canadians.
In 1788, a North West Company trading post was established on the southwestern corner of Lake Athabasca. Fort Chipewyan has existed there ever since and is the oldest European settlement in Alberta.
Indigenous people and culture are foundational to Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo—and have been for thousands of years. Today, our region's strong Cree, Dene, and Métis communities are rich in collaborative spirit and historical, cultural and economic importance.
To learn more about the history of Fort Chipewyan visit the Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial Museum.
working together
A COLLABORATIVE PATHWAY FORWARD
This report outlines five key themes within the framework of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 10 Principles of Reconciliation, and lays out a plan, or a pathway approach, to strengthen reconciliation and continue this important and necessary work now, and into the future, for the region.
Building forward together.
Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is committed to listening, learning and acknowledging the true history of Canada. The region's local government, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, has set it as a priority going forward and encourages everyone to learn more about the Municipality's response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and the path forward.
Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is the centre of excellence for Indigenous business in Canada
Industry Partners
Building forward together.
The oil sands industry is committed to partnering with Indigenous communities to ensure shared benefits, including economic growth, procurement, employment and training opportunities.
According to the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), between 2017 and 2019, operators in the oil sands purchased goods and services valued at $5.9 billion from Indigenous businesses. And in 2019, Indigenous companies in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo had direct business valued at $1.7 billion with oil sands operators.
NAABA
Strength, Unity and Opportunity in Business
The Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA) is committed to enhancing and creating an environment, which promotes business success and the engagement of Indigenous entrepreneurs in the region.
A Historic partnership
Suncor signed agreements with eight Indigenous communities in the region to acquire all of TC Energy’s 15 per cent equity interest in the Northern Courier Pipeline Limited Partnership. This historic partnership includes Suncor, three First Nations and five Métis communities who will own a 15 per cent stake in this pipeline asset with a value of approximately $1.3 billion, which will provide long-term, stable revenues that will benefit the communities for decades to come.
The purchase of Northern Courier Pipeline will be completed by Astisiy Limited Partnership (Astisiy), which is comprised of Suncor and a partnership of the following communities:
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Conklin Métis Local 193
Fort McKay Métis Nation
Fort Chipewyan Métis Local #125
Fort McMurray #468 First Nation
McMurray Métis
Chipewyan Prairie First Nation
Willow Lake Métis Nation
Learn More about the partnership here.