Aboriginal Engagement

Husky supports education and community activities and promotes economic development aligned with the Company’s business goals.

These relationships are based in a spirit of cooperation and transparency, supported by consultation to further mutual interests.

Husky undertook several initiatives in 2012 to support this mandate through its focus areas:

Academic opportunities can lead to improved career choices for Aboriginal youth.

The Company’s Aboriginal Education Awards Program awarded six bursaries last year to Aboriginal students for high school upgrading and post-secondary education related to careers in the oil and gas field.

Scholarships are based on academic achievement and applicants’ career goals in the petroleum industry. Husky has contributed more than $1 million to this program since its inception in 1984.

The Aboriginal Mentorship Program was launched last year to provide training opportunities to Aboriginal students entering or currently enrolled in areas of high-growth job demand in the oil and gas industry. The program placed four students at its facilities in Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan in 2012 to gain experience in a variety of fields. The students are now eligible for consideration in next year’s Mentorship Program.

Husky supported several cultural and wellness programs in 2012 for its employees and the communities where it operates, promoting understanding of, and respect for, Aboriginal culture.

The Company participated in community events with the Mikisew Cree and Aseniwuche Winewak First Nations in Alberta and the Dene Mountain People of the Northwest Territories.

Other events and programs sponsored by Husky included a cultural moose hunt that brought together elders and youth from the Athabasca Chipewyan Nation, a hot breakfast program for youth at Chief Albert Wright School in Tulita, N.W.T., support for a new school playground in Morley, Alberta and a technology program to create an indigenous Dene language application for digital devices.

Employees participated in several events, including a lunch and learn presentation with Fort McKay First Nation and an information session with Chief Clarence Louie of the Osoyoos Indian Band in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley.

Husky supports Aboriginal businesses by providing opportunities to provide goods and services on a competitive basis.

A strong focus is placed on building capacity in Aboriginal businesses, establishing competitiveness and developing entrepreneurs.

Last year, the Company invested approximately $64 million in services contracted to Aboriginal vendors from 18 communities, compared to $35.5 million in 2011 and $20.2 million in 2010.

This increase is attributable, in part, to higher levels of exploration activity.

The Company had 20 active relationship-building agreements in place in 2012.

To further support its efforts in fostering economic development with Aboriginal partners, Husky is a member of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB), the Northeastern Alberta Aboriginal Business Association (NAABA) and the Circle for Aboriginal Relations (CFAR) Society.