Skip to main content

Site Banner Ads

Site Search

Search

Up Here Publishing

Mobile Toggle

Utility navigation

  • Shop
  • Contact Us

Social Links

Facebook Twitter Instagram

Search Toggle

Search

Main navigation

  • Magazines
    • Latest Issue
    • Past Issues
    • Up Here Business
    • YK Guide
    • Move Up Here
  • Sections
    • People & Places
    • Arts & Lifestyle
    • History & Culture
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Nature & Science
  • Newsletters
  • Community Map
  • Contests
    • Sally Manning Award
    • Cold Snaps Photo Contest
    • Arctic Adventure Sweepstakes
  • Subscribe
    • Magazine
    • Digital Edition

Case Study: Not Permitted

November 2015

Why Husky Oil left the shores of Great Slave Lake with its tail between its legs

By Daniel Campbell

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Case Study: Not Permitted

The proposed project was small. The company would drill 100-plus exploratory holes into the sand, set up a small camp, and maybe cut down a few trees for helicopter landing sites. But the project faced strong opposition from groups across the NWT and in February the board decided the public concern warranted a full environmental assessment. The company pulled its application. With the help of Isabella Tatar, a consultant with experience liaising between resource companies and aboriginal groups, here’s why even if you’re getting (most) things right with your application in the North, everything can still go wrong: 

First, what Husky did right 

›› Offered studies. A historically significant battle between Tłįchǫ  and Akaitcho Dene occurred near Whitebeach Point. The area is of cultural and spiritual significance to the Yellowknives Dene and Tłįchǫ  First Nations, so it was important that Husky supported both a traditional knowledge and archeological impact assessment. 

›› Engaged early. The Yellowknives commented on the application that they were pleased with Husky’s engagement. It seemed local governments, First Nations and other groups were told about the project early, and weren’t surprised.

›› Made their plans public. Groups got a good idea of the scope of Husky’s plans—understanding it was a fairly simple exploration project, down to the amount of drillholes the company planned.

Tatar: “From the record it looks like they were well on the way, and I think, personally, they were surprised by the referral to environmental assessment.”


What went wrong

Tatar: “All the debates about what should be happening in the NWT with respect to resource development all took place on this one application … you couldn’t have had a worse confluence of factors coming together if you even tried.”

›› Significance of the region. Although mineral claims were already staked at the site, the Tłįchǫ  and North Slave Metis Alliance were actively working to set up a protected area at Whitebeach Point. The idea that any resource development would take place there was troubling to all groups involved. 

››  Regulatory controversy. After devolution, the NWT began making moves to create a singular “Superboard” instead of regional land and water boards. Many First Nations opposed this, including the Tłįchǫ , who filed an injunction in the NWT Supreme Court in March 2015—shortly after Husky’s permit was sent for environmental assessment. This complicated the application.

›› Controversy over fracking. Ah, the ‘f’ word. While no hydraulic fracturing would take place on site, or anywhere near the project, the silica Husky sought at Whitebeach could eventually be used to frack. Yellowknives Chief Ed Sangris told the local News/North newspaper, “We don’t want to be contributing to fracking. We don’t want to contribute to the damage in other parts of the territory.”


What Husky missed

›› Spelling. Husky continually referred to the Tłįchǫ  Government without using the proper characters. “We recommend that the proponent utilizes the correct name for the government they are engaging with in their engagement plan,” the First Nation commented in a report. Ouch. 

›› Tricky language. “Mini-excavator.” “Mini-bulk.” “Test pits.” The terms raised suspicion. (I mean, “mini-bulk?” Isn’t that a contradiction?) The Tłįchǫ  submitted: “We are concerned that the use of the term ‘mini’ is used intentionally to underplay the extent of the bulk sample.” The ‘mini-bulk’ samples (10 tonnes) would be taken out of ‘test pits’ (3-metre diameter holes) with a mini-excavator (excavator?). Such terms might be accepted in the industry, but to a layman, 10 ton s is not “mini.” 

›› Mission creep. During initial engagements, Husky repeatedly talked about a 100-hole drill program. But in the actual application, First Nations groups were surprised to see that number rose to 200, alongside notes about the possible construction of a winter trail, with a camp and helicopter pads included. This caught many off guard, and the Yellowknives Dene withdrew their support of the project because of it. 

Tatar: “[It’s important] for all companies wanting to undertake natural resource projects to look at the bigger picture and examine the context in which they will be operating, so they understand not only the groups with whom they need to engage and consult, but also the other social, economic, political and legal factors that may impact their proposed project.”

And, seriously, get their names right.

November 2015

Shawn Ryan. Photo by Chris Healey

The Gold Magnet

Shawn Ryan launched one Yukon gold rush. He's ready to do it again

By Herb Mathisen

Shawn Ryan. Photo by Chris Healey

January 22nd, 2021 January 22nd, 2021

November 2015

Illustration by Beth Covvey

The Helen Back Trail

How a hiking route gets its name

By Tim Edwards

Illustration by Beth Covvey

January 22nd, 2021 January 22nd, 2021

Related Articles

November/December 2020

Carcross Yukon has become a top destination on the international mountain-biking scene.

Built North Tough

Carcross Yukon has become a top destination on the international mountain-biking scene. It happened because someone told two friends, who told two friends…

January 22nd, 2021 January 22nd, 2021

November/December 2020

The Jerry Cans

That Long-
Distance Feeling

The Jerry Cans started out playing the Legion in Iqaluit. Today, their music travels across Canada and around the world. That’s what networking can do for you.

January 22nd, 2021 January 22nd, 2021

November/December 2020

Golden Predator CEO Jane Lee-Sheriff

Don’t Leave Home Without ’Em

 

Golden Predator CEO Jane Lee-Sheriff knows commitments to northern benefits are vital to mining projects. Gold coins are her company’s way of showing it means business.

January 22nd, 2021 January 22nd, 2021

November/December 2020

Aurora Heat founder Brenda Dragon

They’re The Real Thing

Aurora Heat founder Brenda Dragon built a continent-wide customer network with a savvy approach to social media. But the heart of her success is authenticity.

January 22nd, 2021 January 22nd, 2021

November/December 2020

Ollie Williams in his office

All the News
 That’s Fit to Stream

Media is a competitive market. It becomes all the more so when your platform challenges the habits of your audience. For Ollie Williams quality is how you stand out.

January 22nd, 2021 January 22nd, 2021

November/December 2020

Laird Herbert in front of Black Spruce Hotel

Inn Through the Outdoors

Laird Herbert’s Black Spruce Hotel taps into the growing global trend of “landscape” accommodations. At his new lodgings, you’ll be immersed in nature—but it will hardly know you’re there.

January 22nd, 2021 January 22nd, 2021
February 5th, 2016 February 5th, 2016
Newsletter sign-up promo image.

Stay in Touch.

Our weekly newsletter brings all the best circumpolar stories right to your inbox.

Up Here magazine cover

Subscribe Now

Our magazine showcases award-winning writing and spectacular northern photos.

Subscribe

Footer Navigation

  • Advertise With Us
  • Work With Us
  • Write for Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimers & Legal

Contact Information

Up Here Publishing
4510-50th Ave., Ste. 102
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 1B9  Canada
Phone: 867.766.6710
Fax: 867.669.0626
Email: editor@uphere.ca

Social Links

Facebook Twitter Instagram
Funded by the Government of Canada