Imperial Oil has asked the Mackenzie Valley Review Board for an environmental assessment, signalling plans to wind down 100+ years of operating in the Norman Wells area, which represents a significant undertaking almost 1300km north of Prince George. Research Associate at UNBC, Annie King, is working as a facilitator between Imperial Oil and the Sahtú Land & Water Board in NWT to develop a plan to, and ultimately, remediate the industrial activity on Metis and Sahtú Dene territory there.
CFURadio connected with King to speak to the challenges in initiating this endeavour. Characteristic of many historic northern developments, the location is remote, with seasonal access, and began with minimal consultation with locals. Further complicating matters, the site was developed prior to a land claims settlement and has seen two expansions since inauguration in 1920. King states optimistically though, “I have a great deal of hope that we’ll get a high quality closure that leaves people feeling safe.”
Stories also available on frequencynews.ca, 88.7 FM in Prince George—Lheidli T’enneh, and cfur.ca/listen-live Mon-Fri 7:30am & 5pm PST
CFUR Radio Society’s journalist, Ian Gregg is funded by the Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) through the Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC).