The company behind the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline has received silver-level certification from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business.
Calgary-based Enbridge is the first pipeline company in the country to receive the progressive aboriginal relations certification, which is based on employment of aboriginals, business development, community investment and community engagement.
"We appreciate the acknowledgment of this certification for our progress in creating real economic benefits for aboriginal communities that we're involved with, at the same time as gaining access to labour pools," Enbridge spokesman Todd Nogier said. "We believe that our activities in these communities are very much of mutual benefit."
The certification, which has gold, silver and bronze levels, is valid for three years after which time Enbridge must re-submit its application.
Concerns over aboriginal relations have been a central point of disagreement surrounding Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway project to connect Alberta's oilsands with Kitimat. Many First Nations leaders from communities along the proposed right of way are opposed to the project and have said they weren't adequately consulted.
"The community engagement part I really have to question in terms of which communities did they engage?" Carrier Sekani Tribal Council chief Terry Teegee said. "Because they certainly haven't adequately addressed the issues of the majority of the communities I represent."
Teegee also cited court decisions stating First Nations communities need to be consulted and accommodated, but he said when aboriginal groups try to assert those rights it often puts them into conflict with federal and provincial governments, as well as project proponents like Enbridge.
Nogier acknowledged that the Northern Gateway project has been difficult, but the company stands by its engagement efforts to date, which has included offering First Nations an ownership stake in the project and providing skills training programs.
"We're very proud of our First Nations engagement on Northern Gateway," he said. "Northern Gateway is a challenging project to work on, clearly it is in the public eye. That said we've put a lot of effort into engaging First Nations communities."
He said the company is committed to continuing to work to open conversations with First Nations groups it does not currently have a relationship with.
The opposition to the specifics of the Northern Gateway project among his people has coloured
Teegee's relationship with Enbridge over the years and he said the company could be doing good things with aboriginal groups in other parts of the country.
"I shouldn't be too judgmental against them because they could be doing some work in Alberta and other places outside of our territory," Teegee said.
