Seeking indigenous consensus on the impacts of oil sands development in Alberta, Canada. Issue 4 (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Natcher, David; Brunet, Nic; Bogdan, Ana-Maria; Tchir, Devan
• Is Part Of: Extractive industries and society. Volume 7:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 1330
• Page End: 1337
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: Oil sands -- Cultural Consensus -- Indigenous -- Peace River -- Athabasca River -- Environmental monitoring; Mineral industries -- Periodicals; Gas industry -- Periodicals; Petroleum industry and trade -- Periodicals; 338.205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.exis.2020.06.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-790X

Abstract

Highlights: Cultural Consensus Analysis was conducted with aboriginal residents in the oil sands regions of Alberta. 87% of respondents believe that oil sands development has contaminated the Peace and Athabasca rivers. Important regional differences were observed. More respondents from the Peace River region think fish are safe to eat. More respondents from the Peace River trust scientific information. Abstract: This paper presents the results of a Cultural Consensus Analysis (CCA) that was conducted to determine the degree to which Indigenous residents of the Peace and Athabasca oil sands regions of Alberta, Canada share cultural knowledge about the associated impacts of oil sands development. We found that 87% (64/75) of respondents believe that oil sands development has contaminated the Peace and Athabasca Rivers, as well as the fish in them. These responses indicate the existence of a cultural truth regarding the negative impacts of oil sands development, with respondents demonstrating a higher than average probability for knowing the culturally correct answer. However, we also found that there was regional variability between Indigenous residents of the two regions, with more respondents from the Peace River region believing fish are safe to eat and scientific information concerning oil sands development to be trustworthy. The results of this study provide a more informed understanding of the variable experiences Indigenous peoples may have with regard to oil sands development in Alberta.