Indicators of Cultural Change

Uniquely situated amidst intense oil sand development in NE Alberta, the Community of Fort McKay (comprised of First Nation and Métis community members) is conducting a Cumulative Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment to describe the effect industrial development; in particular oil sands development, has had on the cultural heritage of Fort McKay people. To assist in this project, the Human Environment Group were retained to engage a cross section of the Fort McKay community to develop a list of Fort McKay cultural values, describe industry stressors affecting these cultural values, and develop a list of cultural indicators that may be considered to measure industry stressors that affect culture and to measure cultural change. Research methods included a literature review of community and regional documents and academic papers, community workshops and focus groups. A model, validated by the Community, was created to represent the findings.