Indigenous engagement

At Imperial, we strive to build strong and lasting relationships with Indigenous Peoples built on mutual trust, respect and shared prosperity. This effort is grounded in a commitment to listen, understand and collaborate as we work together to develop energy solutions for future generations.

Many of our operations and development opportunities are located close to Indigenous communities or on their traditional lands and we recognize that our company and our employees have an important role to play in progressing reconciliation.

1,100+

Indigenous employees and contractors have self-identified at our upstream assets

$3.8 billion

Invested with Indigenous business since 2008; Almost $450 million invested in 2021

Pillar 01

Consultation

• Open and continuous dialogue

• Value traditional practices, decision-making processes, culture and language
Pillar 02

Workforce development

• Investing in education

• Focused on recruitment, progression and retention

• Internal training, development and mentoring programs
Pillar 03

Business development

• Focused on capacity building

• Indigenous content valued in procurement contracts
Pillar 04

Community relations

• Relationship building

• Support and participate in community events

• Effective grievance management

$18.5 million

Invested in Indigenous communities through community benefit agreements in 2021

46

Esso retail sites across Canada owned, operated by Indigenous businesses or on Indigenous land

In 2021

Our reconciliation and engagement efforts focused on growing our Indigenous business partnerships across the value chain, incorporating Indigenous input and traditional knowledge in project execution, increasing Indigenous representation in our workforce, and enhancing our employee Indigenous cultural awareness and education programs across Canada.

Our efforts in our upstream operations were recognized with the award of a silver level certification in Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) from the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, a designation supported by independent and third-party verification.

After three years at the PAR “committed” level, successful applicants will normally progress to the bronze level. In 2021, Imperial’s upstream business earned our way to silver certification three years ahead of schedule. We aspire to grow the program across the company and reach gold level in the future.

A growing partnership

Learn more about a recent visit with our Indigenous reclamation planning group at Muskeg Lake, on our Kearl oil sands operation lease.

Learn more

Indigenous internship and scholarship programs

Internship programs are a great way for students to learn more about our industry and company while completing their education. Learn more about these programs

Pimee Well Servicing: a commitment to quality, safety and the community

Community relations and community investment

Being in a relationship means being in the community together - not just when we need something. It means being there for our neighbours. It means we keep talking and working together, even when the conversations are difficult.

We actively participate to Indigenous community events and we learn about Indigenous history, ceremonies and traditions. We also develop or fund programs that help Indigenous communities thrive.

Here are some of the programs we support:

Indspire Building Brighter Futures: Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program

Imperial has provided more than $1 million to First Nation, Inuit and Métis post-secondary students through the Indspire Building Brighter Futures Bursaries, Scholarships and Awards program since 2007. Read more

ACTUA – STEM outreach for Indigenous youth

Indigenous youth are the fastest-growing population in Canada, yet they are sharply under-represented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. This program, developed by Actua, aims to increase the number of Indigenous youth in STEM education and careers.

Mount Royal University’s Medicine Trail Program

The Medicine Trail Program provides cultural support to staff and students of the Iniskim Centre and throughout Mount Royal University Campus.

Science Education Employment Development Scholarships program (SEEDS)

SEEDS is a partnership between Imperial and the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario, which provides scholarships for Six Nations students in pursuit of post-secondary education.