Oil and gas and the Inuvialuit people of the Western Arctic

Purpose To learn how Inuvialuit people feel about the oil and gas activities on their land. Design/methodology/approach Interviews were administered to a stratified sample, on Inuvialuit land. Participants included: Inuvialuit elders; entrepreneurs; public servants; employees of the private sector; managers of oil companies; unemployed persons; housewives; the mayor of Inuvik; and the first aboriginal woman leader in Canada. Findings It was reported that oil and gas industry activities are having a positive impact on the regional economy, creating indirect as well as direct financial benefits for the Inuvialuit among others. However, some residents qualified their support saying that they are in favour of continued activity only if benefits filter to them as opposed to being enjoyed only by oil companies and migrant employees. Concern was also expressed for the environment and for the threat that development brings to wildlife upon which people rely on as a food source. Research limitations/implications This study should have a longitudinal followup. Practical implications While oil and gas exploration and the building of a pipeline may have economic advantages, this might have social, cultural and environment costs for the Inuvialuit. Originality/value The paper illustrates how oil and gas activities on Inuvialuit land will transform the lives of these people.