First Nations in Canada

• Canada = home to 6 indigenous groups called the First Nations
• Some first Nations people of Mackenzie and Yukon River Basins oppose attempts of global oil companies to 'switch on' their region
• Dene residents of Sahtu region experienced negative impacts of globalisation and petroleum developments near settlement of Norman Wells

  >200 mn barrels conventional oil extracted since 1920

  Particular concerns include:

  • Death of trout and other fish in oil polluted lakes - of concern as their lifestyles based around subsistence fishing, hunting and trapping = fundamental to the Dene's cultural identity.
  • Effects of alcohol and drugs brought by oil workers on behaviour of young Dene people
• Oil TNCs e.g Shell, ExxonMobil, Imperial Oil and Conoco Phillips Canada now exploring surrounding Canol Shale and accessing its potential for Shale oil.
• Shale fracking aka hydraulic fracturing in other geographical locations can cause water pollution