Aboriginal Development
Syncrude operates in a region where Aboriginal people comprise about 13 per cent of the general
population. Through our Aboriginal Development program, we work with Aboriginal communities
and our Aboriginal employees in the key areas of employment, business development, education and training,
community development, and the environment. We also use our nearly 30 years of experience in
Aboriginal Development as leverage to advocate for greater Aboriginal inclusion on the national stage.
Strategic Review of Aboriginal Program 
In 2005, Syncrude completed a strategic review of our Aboriginal Development
Program, which was initiated in response to stakeholder feedback. The review, which
sought feedback from Aboriginal employees and our local Aboriginal communities,
found that while Syncrude is widely recognized for making significant contributions
to the development of Aboriginal people, communities and businesses, more could
be done to support their future sustainability. Accordingly, Aboriginal employees
and stakeholders offered comments and suggestions for improvement in each of
Syncrude’s six Aboriginal Development commitment areas. These are each being
reviewed and acted upon.
An extensive discussion of the findings of the strategic review appears in Syncrude’s
2005 Aboriginal Review, at www.syncrude.com
More Resources for Aboriginal Development Program
In response to Aboriginal employee feedback, Syncrude has created three new staff
positions to support its Aboriginal Development Program.
Steve Jani transferred into the role of Aboriginal Recruitment Representative in
November 2005 after working in Syncrude’s mining and extraction facilities. He is now
working with local Aboriginal communities to identify and recruit interested Aboriginal
candidates to Syncrude careers. Steve also liaises with regional schools to promote
the wide variety of career opportunities at Syncrude and foster an appreciation among
young and mature learners of the value of education.
Natasha McKenzie commenced work as our Aboriginal Development
Representative in February 2006. Her responsibilities are twofold: firstly, to keep
Aboriginal stakeholders apprised of Syncrude news in their area of interest and,
secondly, to keep Syncrude employees informed of our Aboriginal Development efforts.
Syncrude is also recruiting for an Aboriginal Development Manager; this person
will provide senior level direction to a new business plan for our Aboriginal
Development Program.
New Book showcases Aboriginal History
A collaborative effort between Syncrude and the Royal Alberta Museum,
which is home to the Syncrude Gallery of Aboriginal Culture, has
produced an important chronicling of the history of Aboriginal people
in Alberta. Aboriginal Cultures in Alberta: Five Hundred Generations
is a testament to the richness of Aboriginal culture in Alberta.
This book also complements Syncrude’s work with the region’s
Aboriginal communities to preserve cultural traditions for future
generations. Syncrude sponsored the book’s publication and
distribution to every school and public library in the province.
Aboriginal Apprenticeship Program
Syncrude has strengthened its commitment to the Alberta Aboriginal Apprenticeship
Program, which it co-founded in September 2002 and currently chairs. Syncrude
has agreed to eight additional apprentices per year beyond the 35 program
participants already training at Syncrude. In 2005, Syncrude employee Keith Cyprien,
of Fort Chipewyan, became the first journeyman to graduate from the program.
The program recognizes the unique cultural needs of Aboriginal apprentices and
provides the mentorship and peer support that is viewed as important to their future
success. It also aims to register at least 180 Aboriginal apprentices by 2006.
2005 Aboriginal Review
Through the Generations, Syncrude’s 2005
Aboriginal Review, is now available to
readers through Syncrude or online at
www.syncrude.com. The report provides
a comprehensive overview of Syncrude’s
work in its six key commitment areas for
Aboriginal Development.
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