Mikisew Advisian Environmental

As part of our partnership with the Mikisew Cree First Nation (MCFN) in Alberta, Canada, we provide environmental consulting services (including decommisioning & restoration, water, geoscience, regulatory support and more) within the Athabasca region. This partnership is known as the Mikisew Advisian Environmental (MAE). Fifty one percent of it is owned by MCFN. 

The intent of MAE is to build a collaborative business model that supports Mikisew’s community goals of capacity development, integrating their cultural and environmental worldviews, and develop a sustainable environmental business opportunity.

The long-term goal of MAE is to provide sustainable career opportunities for MCFN members while supporting our clients in their goal of environmental stewardship.

This partnership brings together the technical expertise of Advisian’s Environment & Water service line with MCFN’s connection to the local environment and community.

"Fort McKay First Nation began working with Mikisew Advisian Environmental (MAE) in September of 2019. Our project is a large-scale Phase I Environmental Site Assessment encompassing almost 15,000 hectares of Fort McKay reserve land.

We have had a very positive experience working on the project with MAE and, despite the challenges we faced with COVID-19 delaying some of the field work, we are on track to complete the project close to the proposed delivery date and on budget. MAE’s project managers worked closely with our project team and the Fort McKay pandemic response team to ensure COVID-19 protocols were carefully followed while MAE staff were in community conducting field work this past summer.  MAE’s commitment to the health and safety of their staff and community members is evident.

MAE also put in a great deal of effort to recruit and train members of the Fort McKay First Nation to work on the project. Providing an opportunity for local capacity development and employment in the community is a major benefit for the individuals hired and the Fort McKay community overall. We are pleased to have made strong connections between community members and MAE, which we believe will provide further opportunities lasting beyond the project."