Base de données de recherche des TNO

Régions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Gwich'in Settlement Area

étiquettes: environmental impact, petroleum industry, traditional knowledge, Beaufort Sea, community consultation, social impact, exploration drilling, traditional activities, biophysics, Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Objectif(s): Devon Canada Corporation is proposing to commence an offshore oil and gas exploratory drilling operation in the Beaufort Sea in 2005/6. Exploratory work would take place over a three to five year period on exploration lease (EL) 420 in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region. In preparation for a comprehensive study and impact assessment for the proposed project, Kavik-AXYS Inc. will undertake a traditional knowledge study to; 1) collect traditional knowledge information to contribute to a community-based approach to the impact assessment for the Devon Offshore Exploratory Drilling Program; 2) facilitate meaningful participation of local communities in the impact assessment process; and 3) ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements for the collection and application of traditional knowledge in the impact assessment process. Traditional knowledge studies in the context of impact assessment have two major objectives. The first objective is to work with people from local communities to obtain information to assist in the assessment of potential impact to traditional activities and relationships. The second complimentary objective is to obtain traditional knowledge information that can be used to improve the biophysical and social impact assessment.

Description du projet: This study will focus on collecting information from Inuvialuit elders and harvesters, both male and female. 20-25 members from each community will be interviewed. The area of concern will be the lease area (EL 420) and adjacent lands, including Pelly Island, Garry Island, and Mason Bay. In addition, information will be collected on the potential project impact zone, which extends to near shore lands and waters from Shingle Point on the Yukon North Slope to Atkinson Point on the Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula. Participants will be asked to discuss their perceptions of the potential impact of the project on community health and wellness, and their knowledge of traditional use in these areas. They will also be asked to share their traditional knowledge regarding the various components of the impact assessment. Interviews will be one-on-one or in small groups of two or three. Interviews will be taped, transcribed, and when necessary, translated into English. Interpreters will be chosen by the community or elder. Participants will be asked to sign a consent form. Kavik-AXYS Inc. and Devon Canada Corporation recognize that the Inuvialuit retain ownership of the traditional knowledge information collected in this study. Information will be used for project purposes only. Follow up visits will be conducted to validate and review draft documents and final copies of the report will be provided to the communities. Local Hunters and Trappers Committees will receive non technical summaries and regular reporting on the progress of the study.