A First Nations-led company in British Columbia is transforming old oil wells into thriving ecosystems using traditional knowledge and native plants.
Isaac Phan Nay reports for The Narwhal.
In short:
- Aski Reclamation, a company founded by the Saulteau First Nations, restores old oil well sites using native trees, shrubs and grasses.
- The company has reclaimed several sites in Treaty 8 territory, addressing environmental damage caused by oil and gas extraction.
- Traditional knowledge plays a key role in these efforts, which aim to restore ecosystems for wildlife and cultural practices.
Key quote:
“They haven’t felt comfortable hunting moose here based on how much oil and gas [contamination] is happening.”
— Alycia Aird, general manager of Aski Reclamation
Why this matters:
Abandoned oil wells pose long-term environmental hazards, including water contamination and methane emissions. Indigenous-led reclamation efforts offer a model for restoring degraded lands, incorporating traditional knowledge to rebuild ecosystems and preserve cultural heritage.
