Our Commitment to Indigenous Communities

Plains believes that the best relationships between industry and Indigenous Peoples are mutually beneficial and are built through trust, clear communication, transparent objectives, safe work practices and a shared sense of responsibility to the environment and the land.

Our goal is to communicate with Indigenous Governments in an open and transparent manner that respects the sovereignty and culture of each tribe, while sharing information about our assets and activities in the area. We seek to form collaborative partnerships with federal, state and local agencies and Indigenous governments, and will continue to engage with these groups in an open and respectful manner.

In Canada, Plains’ Indigenous Relations Commitment Statement acknowledges that Indigenous People have treaty and Aboriginal rights as well as diverse protocols, histories, languages and cultures unique to each community. The statement stipulates that Plains is guided by the following principles:

• We work with Indigenous Peoples and governments at the earliest stage practical to share timely, clear and useful information regarding proposed developments and projects.

• We recognize Indigenous Peoples have unique and important relationships with the environment and land and we strive to incorporate this perspective into the development of our projects.

• We tailor our engagement approach to address the protocols of individual communities.

• We support fair and equal access to employment and business opportunities for Indigenous communities and their members.

• In addition to our commitment to safe operations, we understand it is our duty to be environmentally and culturally responsible in our operations.

While the U.S. has different regulations concerning Indigenous relationships, similar principles are in place.

Cultural Resource Protection During Construction

We seek to consult with Indigenous Governments in areas where we operate and consider their input regarding the route, design and construction of our pipelines.

If concerns arise about a proposed route, we carefully consider the concerns and options to reroute our pipeline, use less invasive installation technologies, or provide access to the right-of-way during construction activities for archaeologists specially trained to monitor for possible cultural resources.

When applicable, we also participate in the U.S. intergovernmental consultation process pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Where appropriate, we work with Indigenous Communities to engage additional heritage-focused cultural monitors at specific culturally sensitive locations.