Mikisew Cree First Nation

• Then came news of a separate incident where an unknown amount of industrial wastewater has been leaking from an Imperial Oil tailings pond for the last 12 months.
• The leakage flows underground and then resurfaces to contaminate surface waters outside the Kearl Oil Sands Processing Plant and Mine.
• In addition to its significance to the Indigenous communities here, this waterway also provides crucial habitats for endangered wildlife species.

Fish struggle to survive in contaminated waters

• Research and real-world incidents have found that oilsands wastewater is toxic to wildlife including mammals, fish, frogs and birds.
• A group of organic compounds, referred to as naphthenic acids, are responsible for most of the toxicity of wastewater.
• The science clearly suggests that fish are negatively impacted by wastewater contaminants and even short-term contact can have lasting effects on animals in the affected area.

Canada’s declining amphibians face new threats

• Amphibians are one of the most rapidly disappearing groups of animals in Canada, as their wetland habitats often face the threat of pollution, among other stressors.
• Like with fish, studies have found that exposure to wastewater and naphthenic acids can interfere with sexual development and impair breeding in adult frogs.
• Tadpoles exposed to these chemicals are more likely to die, behave abnormally when escaping predators and are less likely to develop into frogs.

A need for transparent oilsands waste management

• In addition to wildlife, industrial activities in the oilsands region have affected the Indigenous communities over the years as well.
• Diane Orihel received funding from Environment and Climate Change Canada for her lab's research on the effects of oilsands contaminants on aquatic biota.
• Chloe Robinson received funding from Queen's University (Craigie Fellowship), and the Government of Ontario (Ontario Graduate Scholarship).

• This historic transaction is approximately $1.12 billion and expected to close within the next month, making this the largest Indigenous energy partnership in North America to date.
• Todays announcement is historic for all parties involved, as todays newly announced partnership marks the largest energy-related Indigenous economic partnership transaction in North America, said Chana Martineau, CEO of AIOC.
• On behalf of the Indigenous partners, we are proud to become equity owners in these high-quality assets which contribute to North American energy supply and security, said Justin Bourque, President of Athabasca Indigenous Investments.
• We believe this partnership exemplifies how Enbridge and Indigenous communities can work together, not only in stewarding the environment, but also in owning and operating critical energy infrastructure.

• EDMONTON, AB, June 2, 2022 /CNW/ - Mikisew Group, the business entity of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, today announced the 100 percent acquisition of Edmonton-based confined space service leader, SmogBuster.
• This is Mikisew Group's second major investment in the confined space service industry this year, following their successful investment in remote confined space monitoring leader, Impact Safety Solutions .
• Mikisew Group CEO, Dan Gallagher, said: "SmogBuster is an established and highly reputable operator within the confined space service industry, and we're delighted to have them join the Mikisew Group family.
• Mikisew Group's investment recognizes that the confined space service sector is growing and has the potential to benefit from the development of additional innovations.

• By working closely with Indigenous leaders in conservation and provincial and territorial partners, the Government of Canada is making progress toward its conservation targets.
• The expansion of Kitaskino Nuwenn Wildland Park marks another important milestone in the government's goal of conserving 25percent of land and oceans in Canada by 2025, and working toward 30percent of each by 2030.
• "The expansion of Kitaskino Nuwenn Wildland Provincial Park is a major achievement in conservation.
• The expansion of Kitaskino Nuwenn Wildland Park further contributes to protected areas around Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site.