Message from Syncrude's Leaders

Syncrude’s first Aboriginal Review was published in 1994. It was not the first time we communicated with the Aboriginal community, but it was a new way of doing so. And since that first Review, five more, including this latest edition, have followed at various intervals.

While it has always been vital to communicate, it has become increasingly important in light of the escalating pace of oil sands development in the Wood Buffalo region.

This is why Syncrude representatives held more than 130 direct meetings with our Aboriginal stakeholders in 2006. At these sessions, we discussed employment opportunities, land reclamation and environmental stewardship, and ways in which Syncrude can support community objectives for such things as education, training and community enhancement.

As well, Syncrude continued its support for the various regional initiatives that are designed to monitor, assess and manage the effects of oil sands development. This includes the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) and the Regional Aquatics Monitoring Program (RAMP) which monitor the health of the local air, water and land. In addition, Syncrude is proud to be a long-standing supporter of the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association, which encourages and promotes local Aboriginal business. To these cooperative efforts Syncrude provides both financial resources and the professional support of our people. We are also fully engaged with the Industry Relations Corporations established by our region’s First Nations communities.

Our Aboriginal neighbours have always had an important stake in what Syncrude does. Such widespread interest gives us excellent reason to look at this Review as a flagship publication that will help encourage understanding and awareness and stimulate dialogue.

"We can build on the fact that Aboriginal people now have rewarding career and business opportunities at Syncrude… that Aboriginal education outcomes are improving… and that there is strong evidence of enhanced community sustainability."

Jim Carter, Syncrude President and Chief Operating Officer

The 2006 Aboriginal Review celebrates youth. It acknowledges today’s young people as possessing a clear sense of direction, people who can serve as excellent role models for others, both young and old.

Many outstanding young Aboriginal people are introduced or profiled within these pages—high school students, new Syncrude employees, and others. With help from family, friends and neighbours—Syncrude among them—they are making their own way. They’ve taken stock of themselves, discovered what they like and want to do, and explored what kind of education they need to achieve their goals. Their stories are truly inspiring, their successes worthy of admiration and respect.

We believe in clearing a path, in easing transitions, and in making learning as accessible and relevant as possible, so that our region’s young people can explore their potential and have it take them wherever they want to go—whether it’s Syncrude, Wood Buffalo or anywhere in the world if they so choose.

Charles Ruigrok - Chief Executive Officer and Jim Carter - President and Chief Operating Officer of Syncrude

We believe in opportunity—creating it, sharing it, and making the most of it—and that’s what Syncrude’s Aboriginal Relations Program has always been about.

We believe that what we do working alone pales in comparison to what we can achieve working together. Thus, in each of its six elements, our Aboriginal Relations Program relies upon partnerships for the creation of greater collective opportunity.

We are especially proud to have surpassed $1 billion in cumulative business between Syncrude and Aboriginal entrepreneurs since 1992. This is a great indication that we are indeed succeeding in creating opportunity. Certainly, that’s our aim. In keeping with it, we conducted a major review of our Aboriginal Relations Program last year, and together with our stakeholders continue to assess and adjust our efforts in a never-ending quest to improve. Some of the results of those efforts are highlighted in this year’s Review.

Syncrude is an enterprise greatly improved over the years thanks to the interest and involvement of our Aboriginal neighbours, stakeholders and friends in our growing business.

With a good part of our collective future in the hands of some pretty amazing young people, our region’s continued success is all but assured.