- #4163
Job Overview
- Exploration and production
- Pipelines
- Oil sands
- Post-secondary diploma
About This Career
Indigenous Relations Specialists are the tie that binds oil and gas companies to Indigenous communities and leaders. In Canada, these communities often have a special, traditional and unique legal relationship to the land that oil and gas companies work on or would like access to. These professionals work with both sides to try to build relationships between and find win-win solutions for everyone involved.
Indigenous people in Canada have a special, traditional and unique legal relationship to the land. Oil and gas companies often work on treaty lands or lands that have Indigenous rights, claims and active Indigenous communities. Indigenous Relations Specialists work with Indigenous communities and leadership to foster and maintain relationships between the company and Indigenous communities.
An Indigenous Relations Specialist may, or may not, work within a larger team depending on company size and structure. They make management aware of the Government’s Indigenous consultation policies and requirements, and ensure the company fulfills its regulatory consultation obligations. Within some companies, Indigenous Relations Specialists provide leadership and support in a wide range of responsibilities including Indigenous business development initiatives, managing relationships with partners, supporting inclusive recruitment, and supporting the development of strategies that promote Indigenous inclusion on projects.
In this occupation activities may include:
- Bringing together representatives of the Indigenous community and the company to develop a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship.
- Facilitating and participating in formal and informal meetings to learn of concerns from the community.
- Developing and implementing an engagement strategy with Indigenous and local communities.
- Developing strategies and policies to promote business development or investment in, or with, local Indigenous communities.
- Working with others in the company to identify and remove any barriers in the employment process for Indigenous peoples.
Education
- Aboriginal liaisons need a combination of related education and experience
- Most employers require applicants to have a post-secondary diploma or degree in a field related to the organization's business or Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Relations or a related field.
Certifications
- Certification is not required, as there is currently no legislation regulating this occupation.
Additional Requirements
- While not necessarily through a formal program of study, these specialists typically combine knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit communities, knowledge about local Indigenous history, cultures and issues, and knowledge about their employer's organizational structure, culture and services or products.
- Specific health and safety certifications may be required, determined by location of work and company requirements
Indigenous Relations specialists have a deep knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit history, cultures and issues. They combine this with their people-skills, organization, and analytical thinking to find beneficial paths forward for their company and the community.
- Laws and Regulations
- Human Resources
- Public Speaking
- Writing, Technical Writing, Document Production
- Coordination
- Managing Conflict
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
- Planning and Organizing
- Collaborative
- Innovative
- Leading / Living the Vision and Values
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining and quarrying
- Utilities
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Public administration
Related Careers in Oil & Gas
Also known as
- Indigenous Affairs Officer
- Aboriginal Affairs Development Officer
- Aboriginal Affairs Specialist
- Aboriginal Employment Policy Officer
- Aboriginal Economic Development Specialist
- Aboriginal Liaison
- Community Relations Specialist
News Item
Indigenous Relations Specialist Spotlight
PostedIndigenous Relations Specialists are the tie that binds oil and gas companies to Indigenous communities and leaders. In Canada, these communities ofte...
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