ISSUE NO VII • SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. ABORIGINAL REVIEW 2016 Courage A Flett The Quintal Cory Jahelka Fort McKay Tyler Hart Under Family Dynamic Battles for Provides in a League Fire Welcome Duo Heart and Home Northern Comfort of His Own 02 08 10 12 14 34 Welcome There are many different pathways to success. It region, our province and across our country. Pathways could be sculpting a work of art, preparing dry fish captures these stories and connects with First Nations and listening to the wisdom of Elders. It could be and Métis people making positive contributions, studying for certification, a college diploma or bringing new perspectives to the table and university degree. Or it could be volunteering to influencing change in our society. be a firefighter in your home community. Join us as we explore these many diverse pathways There is no end to the remarkable successes and and learn how generations young and old are working accomplishments among Aboriginal people in our to make a difference. THE STORIES in Pathways reflect the six key commitment areas of Syncrude’s Aboriginal Relations BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT program: Business Development, Community Development, Education Wood Buffalo is home to some of As one of the largest employers and Training, Employment, the the most successful Aboriginal of Aboriginal people in Canada, Environment, and Corporate businesses in Canada. Syncrude Syncrude’s goal is to create Leadership. As a representation of works closely with Aboriginal opportunities that enable First our ongoing work with the local business owners to identify Nations, Métis and Inuit people First Nations and Métis communities opportunities for supplying goods to fully participate in all aspects to create and share opportunity, and services to our operation. of our operation. Pathways is one among many initiatives meant to foster dialogue and celebrate shared achievements. EDITORIAL COMMITTEE COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT Kara Flynn, Lana Hill, Jo Anne Hulan, Mark Kruger, Colleen Legdon, Paul Manuel, Canada is a country rich in diversity We work with local Aboriginal Marty Quintal, Christine Simpson, Tracey and culture. Syncrude helps communities on such matters as Stephen, Jamie Sullivan, Doug Webb Aboriginal communities celebrate end-land use and how we can WRITERS success and continue to build minimize the long-term impacts of our Tara Abraham, John Copley, Will Gibson, capacity for further progress operations on traditional land uses. Stephanie Johnston, Mark Kruger, and achievement. Mike Lupien, Paul Manuel, Bob Nyen, Chelsey Pynn, Lilian Rubilar, Leithan Slade, Tracey Stephen PHOTOGRAPHY Adam Gaumont/University of Alberta, Art Gallery of Alberta, CAREERS: The EDUCATION LEADERSHIP Next Generation, Curtis Trent/Alberta Venture, Jeremy Fokkens, Government Learning unlocks the door to reward Leadership is found among young of Alberta, Josh Cardinal, Marcus and personal growth. Syncrude and old alike. As a member of many Oleniuk/Toronto Star, Chelsey Pynn, Darren Jacknisky, Bob Nyen, Roth & works with Aboriginal communities regional and national organizations, Ramberg, Leithan Slade, Daniel Wood to explore and create diverse Syncrude works with business and DESIGN & PRODUCTION educational opportunities. governments to champion the Karo Group Calgary continued advancement of Aboriginal ILLUSTRATION people across the country. Chris Pecora PRINTING Blanchette Press YOUR THOUGHTS FRONT COVER Through Pathways, we hope to bring you inspiring stories that Jeremy Fokkens capture the heart, spirit and success of Aboriginal people and INSIDE BACK COVER Daniel Wood communities. We invite you to share your opinion and tell us how BACK COVER we’re doing. www.syncrude.ca/pwfeedback Bob Nyen PATHWAYS | 1 ISSUE NO VII • SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. ABORIGINAL REVIEW 2016 02 08 10 COURAGE UNDER FIRE IN GOOD HANDS DYNAMIC DUO The expertise of Aboriginal Fighting the wildfire Father and son firefighters proves vital time and becomes a family affair. join forces to again when attacking wildfires. fight the flames. 12 Brave 14 Northern 18 Opening 25 An Order of 28 Building Heart Comfort Doors Magnitude Futures 30 Honour 31 Academic 32 Courage 33 Music 34 A League Roll Achiever to Dream Man of His Own Happy Trails page 16 Aboriginal Art Exhibition page 22 Pursuit of Excellence page 24 Fort McKay Group of Companies page 26 Mechanics of Success page 27 Aboriginal Youth Initiative page 36 Aboriginal Edge Report page 37 Insect Research page 38 Fort McKay's New Recycling Program page 39 Environmental Update page 40 Aboriginal Relations Scorecard page 42 Celebrating Our People page 44 Aboriginal Relations Program page 45 Aboriginal Relations Team page 46 Thoughts from the CEO page 48 Fort McKay First Nation fire chief Mel Grandjamb has responded to his share of emergencies and is used to battling the occasional structural fire in and around his community. But nothing could have prepared him for the scene he and his 12-person crew of firefighters witnessed upon their arrival into Fort McMurray on the afternoon of May 3rd, 2016. “The city was aflame; the smoke was thick and the whole community was in the process of a mass exodus,” explains Mel. “Beacon Hill was engulfed and Abasand was in a similar state. Our destination was Grayling Terrace, where about 200 homes were under threat of being destroyed.” PATHWAYS | 3 COURAGE The expertise of Aboriginal firefighters proves vital time and UNDER again when attacking wildfires in FIRE Alberta. PATHWAYS | 4 “I commend the efforts Hugging the far shoulder of the road to avoid emergency and work ethic of every vehicles and escaping residents, they made their single person who way into the community. played a role in helping Mel, together with deputy fire chiefs Ron Quintal and to stop the fire.” James McIsaac, formed FORT MCKAY FIRE CHIEF MEL GRANDJAMB their plan. “This wasn’t an ordinary whose department has gained situation; a more complex plan of widespread recognition at action was needed,” explains Mel. firefighting competitions across the “We got 65 lines out, dropped two country, winning four consecutive at each house and immediately provincial championships and one began to hose the properties national title. “I commend the efforts down. Two were already on fire.” and work ethic of every single The crew launched its attack person who played a role in helping at 4:19 p.m. and, by 5:30 p.m., to stop the fire in Fort McMurray both fires were extinguished. and the woodland firefighters who Several hours later, most of the eventually managed to get Grayling Terrace neighbourhood everything under control.” was secured. By mid-May, more than 49 “It was a real team effort wildfires were burning in Alberta and among our greatest with seven deemed to be out of accomplishments,” notes Mel, control. More than 1,200 firefighters, PATHWAYS | 5 including those from local First “I was dispatched with the those folks and their contribution Nations and Métis communities, 25-man crew,” he explains. to extinguishing the Horse River were brought into action. They “We were dropped off in the fire has been above and beyond were supported by 145 helicopters, middle of the bush and far from the call of duty.” 22 air tankers and more than 140 any modern convenience.” The role of the wildland pieces of heavy equipment. Though he was the senior firefighter hasn’t changed much ranger at the site that day, he over the decades, but the training remembers the actions of the programs are continually evolving. Bernie Schmitte, Fort all-Aboriginal crew and “watching “The training is more intense McMurray fire district manager in awe as they sprang into action, today,” says Bernie. “Fire with Alberta Agriculture and setting up the camp, marking out behaviour – why one fire does Forestry, knows first-hand the the perimeter and patrolling the one thing and another similar tremendous contributions area for hot spots and fire does something totally Aboriginal people bring to unwelcome wildlife.” different – plays a much bigger fighting wildfires. The cooks, from Meander role than it has in past years. “Even before the settlers River, also took good care of the Safety awareness and instruction arrived, Aboriginal people were team. “Their eyes widened when is also very important. If a putting out fires on their own; the wolves howled but they sure situation arises, everyone has to they have a natural ability as could cook,” says Bernie. “They be on the same page.” firefighters,” he says. “For some made the best stew and bannock people, this is the life and I’ve ever had.” because Indigenous peoples are Bernie has been equally akin to the land, they really excel.” impressed with the crews in Wood Bernie remembers an Buffalo. “The firefighters here are A crew of Aboriginal experience with a team of some of the hardest working in firefighters who Aboriginal firefighters shortly after the province,” he says. “This has responded to the he moved to High Level in 1993. been a very busy summer for 2016 wildfire. Firefighters from both Fort McKay and Fort Chipewyan responded to the emergency. Above, the proud members Training, education of the Fort McKay Fire Department. and great courage were ▲ Left to right: essential for 28-year-old James McIsaac Cole McKenzie Josh Cardinal. A former Shelley Cyprien Tyler Young Firetack crew member Destiny Young Mel Grandjamb with five years’ experience Trace Quintal as a wildland firefighter, Dwight Flett Felix Faichney he joined the Helitack Ron Quintal Absent: Mike O’Neil crew earlier this year and was in fact still training for his new assignment when word came that Fort McMurray was under siege. PATHWAYS | 7 “The fire behaviour was erratic and we really had to keep our wits about us.” JOSH CARDINAL pushed us to become professional, Aboriginal Firefighter Training reliable and team-oriented Program (AFTP) celebrated its 50th workers. They achieved that goal.” anniversary in 2015, recognizing Josh notes when his crew arrived Indigenous firefighters for in Fort McMurray on May 26th, the helping to launch the first training nearby forests were still burning.