- Environmental, Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement
- Indigenous Relations Specialist
- NOC #4163
Indigenous Relations Specialist
Indigenous relations specialists are the tie that binds energy companies to Indigenous communities and leaders. In Canada, these communities often have a special, traditional and unique legal relationship to the land that energy 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. Energy 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.
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- Sub-sector Exploration and production, Pipelines, Oil sands
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary $54,000 to $83,000
- Education Post-secondary diploma
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
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have a deep knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit history, cultures and issues. You combine this with your people-skills, organization and analytical thinking to find beneficial paths forward for your 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
- Sub-sector Carbon capture, utilization and storage, Emissions reduction, Well site decommissioning
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained as an Indigenous relations specialist in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the cleantech sector. There is growing importance on developing and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous communities in operating regions and gaining familiarity with the needs of local Indigenous communities is helpful.
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.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in cleantech may include:
- Professional certifications in related disciplines. (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
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
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to cleantech include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Travel required (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Safety-sensitive environment (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Transition to a similar level (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
- Rural location (CCUS | emissions reduction | well site decommissioning)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have a deep knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit history, cultures and issues. You combine this with your people-skills, organization and analytical thinking to find beneficial paths forward for your 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
- Sub-sector Engineering, design and procurement, Construction, Contracted and turnaround maintenance, Start-up and commissioning, Modular fabrication
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Congratulations! The skills gained as an Indigenous relations specialist in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to the industrial construction and maintenance in energy sector. There is growing importance on developing and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous communities in operating regions and gaining familiarity with the needs of local Indigenous communities is helpful.
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.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in industrial construction and maintenance may include:
- Professional certifications in related disciplines may be required. (engineering, design and procurement | construction | contracted and turnaround maintenance | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
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
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to industrial construction and maintenance include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (engineering, design and procurement | construction | contracted and turnaround maintenance | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Travel required (engineering, design and procurement | construction | contracted and turnaround maintenance | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Temporary/project-to-project work (engineering, design and procurement | construction | contracted and turnaround maintenance | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (engineering, design and procurement | construction | contracted and turnaround maintenance | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (engineering, design and procurement | construction | contracted and turnaround maintenance | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Safety-sensitive environment (engineering, design and procurement | construction | contracted and turnaround maintenance | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
- Transition to a similar level (engineering, design and procurement | construction | contracted and turnaround maintenance | start-up and commissioning | modular fabrication)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have a deep knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit history, cultures and issues. You combine this with your people-skills, organization and analytical thinking to find beneficial paths forward for your 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
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as an Indigenous relations specialist in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to digitization and automation in energy sector. There is growing importance on developing and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous communities in operating regions and gaining familiarity with the needs of local Indigenous communities is helpful.
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.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in digitization and automation may include:
- Professional certifications in related disciplines.
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
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to digitization and automation include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Travel required
- Potential for relocation
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Career development fostered/supported
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have a deep knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit history, cultures and issues. You combine this with your people-skills, organization and analytical thinking to find beneficial paths forward for your 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
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as an Indigenous relations professional in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to LNG facility operation. Workers will need to familiarize themselves with the communities surrounding LNG export development as facilities are in regions not familiar with oil and natural gas development. Negotiation and implementation of local community benefits agreements and the ability to establish and maintain Indigenous partnerships is of significant value.
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.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in LNG facility operation may include:
- Professional certifications in related disciplines.
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
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to LNG include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Travel required
- Potential for relocation
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Career development fostered/supported
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have a deep knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit history, cultures and issues. You combine this with your people-skills, organization and analytical thinking to find beneficial paths forward for your 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
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as an Indigenous relations specialist in oil and natural gas are directly transferable to petrochemicals and refining. There is growing importance on developing and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous communities in operating regions and gaining familiarity with the needs of local Indigenous communities is helpful.
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.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in petrochemicals and refining may include:
- Professional certifications in related disciplines.
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
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to petrochemicals and refining include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours
- Travel required
- Potential for relocation
- Lower-risk tolerant culture
- Safety-sensitive environment
- Transition to a similar level
- Career development fostered/supported
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have a deep knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit history, cultures and issues. You combine this with your people-skills, organization and analytical thinking to find beneficial paths forward for your 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
- Sub-sector Geothermal, Solar, Wind
- Environment Primarily indoor/office work
- Average Salary Equal to oil and gas
- Education Post-secondary diploma
- Skills Upgrading None
-
Direct
Good news! The skills gained as an Indigenous relations specialist in oil and natural are directly transferable to renewables. There is growing importance on developing and maintaining strong relationships with Indigenous communities in operating regions and gaining familiarity with the needs of local Indigenous communities is helpful. A worker considering a career change to the geothermal sub-sector of renewables may expect to earn an average salary range similar to the average salary range in oil and natural gas. A worker transitioning to the solar or wind sub-sectors may expect to earn a lower average salary range than the average salary range in oil and natural gas.
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.
In addition to the requirements below, specific requirements in renewables may include:
- Professional certifications in related disciplines. (geothermal | solar | wind)
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
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to renewables include:
- Shiftwork/variable work hours (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Travel required (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Agile/flexible approach to work (solar | wind)
- Freelance/contract opportunities (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Lower-risk tolerant culture (geothermal)
- Safety-sensitive environment (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Transition to a similar level (geothermal | solar | wind)
- Rural location (geothermal | solar | wind)
Nature of work and environment conditions specific to oil and natural gas include:
- Travel likely required
- Primarily indoor/office work
- Work not physically demanding
- Work away from home/in camps
You have a deep knowledge about First Nations, Metis and Inuit history, cultures and issues. You combine this with your people-skills, organization and analytical thinking to find beneficial paths forward for your 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
The renewables sector is further divided into sub-sectors:
Geothermal
- Average salary range: Equal to oil and gas
Solar
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
Wind
- Average salary range: Less than oil and gas
What does this mean for workers?
There could be differences in the expected salary range and varying work environments. Further research on the sector or consultation with a career advisor may be required.
