Consultation and engagement of Sahtú Dene and Métis people in the closure and reclamation of the Norman Wells Oilfield

After over 100 years of operation, the Norman Wells Oilfield located in the Northwest Territories is beginning the process of closure and reclamation. In negotiating the Sahtú Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement (1994), Sahtú people have gained more power over environmental decision-making, including directing the goals and outcomes of reclamation projects. A case study approach was used to collect qualitative data over 8 weeks in Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories and 3 days in Norman Wells, Northwest Territories. Data were collected through 41 semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions with Sahtú people and key informants and an analysis of past engagement records to examine the structures and processes for how Sahtú Dene and Métis have been engaged in the Norman Wells Oilfield project throughout history, and identify opportunities for their meaningful involvement in remediation, reclamation, and monitoring in the future. Findings reveal that past engagement and consultation from Imperial Oil with the Sahtú people has been culturally inappropriate. This has resulted in a loss of trust, violation of Dene principles of reciprocity, and overall ineffective communication. These research findings are intended to contribute to the conversation about the Norman Wells Oilfield closure and reclamation, as well as broader discussions on Indigenous peoples' involvement in environmental reclamation after resource extraction.