Project participation

We work with Indigenous groups and tailor our engagement approach to be responsive to the unique circumstances of each group. During our engagement process, we provide resources to Indigenous groups to support their participation in a project’s regulatory approval process.

Through active participation in activities like fieldwork and traditional land use studies, Indigenous groups make their own assessment of a project’s potential effects. In some cases, participation agreements are one way we work with Indigenous groups potentially affected by our activities to acknowledge their unique governance, relationship to the land and legal standing.

Aboriginal Construction Participation Program

Gary from Kelly Lake Cree Nation started as a participant in our Aboriginal Construction Participation Program and soon became a coordinator in the program on another project. Tasked with observing construction and environmental activities on a pipeline project in Alberta, along with other participants, he prepared reports of his findings, including locations observed, site conditions, photos and any potential concerns or required actions to send back to his community, increasing his understanding of how we build pipelines.

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A decade-long partnership

In 2008, the Osage Nation became the first U.S. Tribal group to partner with TC Energy as we began consultation on the Keystone Pipeline System, which has now safely transported energy for over nine years. Since then, we have continued to collaborate with the Osage on initiatives such as the cultural preservation programs.

Watch our video to learn more about our long-standing partnership.

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FAQs

Where activities may affect my Indigenous rights and interests, how can my Indigenous group participate in the economic benefits of a TC Energy project?

We support Indigenous group participation within the regulatory process through a variety of means, including resourcing capacity funding to enable the review and feedback for project information. This can include Traditional Land Use information, map review or community meetings. On certain projects, capacity funding has supported the Indigenous group in meeting capacity needs to respond to our projects. Where conditions emerge from the regulatory process, we aim to involve Indigenous groups in activities that result from regulatory conditions.

How can my Indigenous group get involved with a TC Energy project?

TC Energy supports the participation of Indigenous groups within the regulatory process, including resource capacity funding that enables the review of project information and community meetings. On certain projects, capacity funding has enabled the Indigenous groups to hire additional staff assigned to our projects. Where conditions emerge from the regulatory process, we also do our best to involve Indigenous groups in activities that result from regulatory conditions.

Need more information or have a question?

Email us at indigenous_relations@tcenergy.com, call us at 1-855-895-8754 or visit our Contact us page for more information.