Two Roads Approach to Co-Reclamation

The research paper presents the 'Two-Roads Approach' and the 'Intercultural Reclamation and Closure Framework' as methods to address the exclusion of Indigenous rights holders from oil sands mine closure planning in Canada. Developed through a partnership between Fort McKay First Nation and academic researchers, these tools aim to bridge Western scientific perspectives with Cree and Dene knowledge. Key outputs include the 'Cycle of Respect'—an intercultural code of conduct—and a six-stage framework for co-reclamation. The document emphasizes that restoring peatlands (muskeg) and forests is a critical climate mitigation action and that inclusive reclamation serves as a form of reconciliation for the degradation of traditional territories.

• A significant gap exists in Canada's oil sands mine closure and reclamation policies, which often exclude Indigenous treaty and rights holders from the stewardship of repairing degraded traditional territories, particularly regarding social and cultural aspects.
• The 'Two-Roads Approach' is an intercultural governance model that allows Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants to maintain distinct cultural paradigms and values while coordinating through 'bridges' to make joint project decisions.
• The 'Cycle of Respect' was developed as an indigenized code of conduct using talking circles and storytelling to establish ethical behavior and a safe space for intercultural dialogue between Fort McKay First Nation, oil sands operators, and academia.
• The Intercultural Reclamation and Closure Framework consists of six 'bridges' or phases: relationship growth, aligned closure vision, traditional land use planning tools, co-creation of the closure plan, implementation of co-reclamation, and co-monitoring/maintenance.
• From the perspective of Fort McKay First Nation, the restoration of forests and muskeg (peatlands) is essential for climate mitigation, as muskeg acts as a 'big sponge' that absorbs toxins and carbon.
• The project demonstrated that oil sands companies and Fort McKay First Nation can align on 'parallel visions' for reclamation, with both parties identifying water, trees, and the return of wildlife as central elements of a successful reclaimed landscape.

APA

LHommecourt, J., Boucher, M., Desjarlais, G., Grandjambe, J., Grandjambe, M., LHommecourt, D., Ladouceur, J., Mercer, C., Mercer, D., Orr, E., Redcrow, A., Stewart, J. S., Post, A. D., Daly, C. A., Arrobo, B., Donald, G., McCarthy, D., Lertzman, D. A., & Gerlach, S. C. (2022). Two Roads Approach to Co-Reclamation. Canadian Climate Institute. https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/two-roads-approach-to-co-reclamation/

Chicago

LHommecourt, Jean, Marie Boucher, Gabe Desjarlais, Joe Grandjambe, Martha Grandjambe, Dora LHommecourt, James Ladouceur, et al. Two Roads Approach to Co-Reclamation. Canadian Climate Institute, 2022. https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/two-roads-approach-to-co-reclamation/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=LHommecourt |first1=Jean |last2=Boucher |first2=Marie |last3=Desjarlais |first3=Gabe |last4=Grandjambe |first4=Joe |last5=Grandjambe |first5=Martha |last6=LHommecourt |first6=Dora |last7=Ladouceur |first7=James |last8=Mercer |first8=Clara |last9=Mercer |first9=Douglas |display-authors=etal |title=Two Roads Approach to Co-Reclamation |publisher=Canadian Climate Institute |date=22 June 2022 |url=https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/two-roads-approach-to-co-reclamation/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lhommecourt2022two, author = {LHommecourt, Jean and Boucher, Marie and Desjarlais, Gabe and Grandjambe, Joe and Grandjambe, Martha and LHommecourt, Dora and Ladouceur, James and Mercer, Clara and Mercer, Douglas and Orr, Edith and Redcrow, Audrey and Stewart, James Scotty and Post, Alexandra Davies and Daly, Christine A and Arrobo, Bori and Donald, Gillian and McCarthy, Dan and Lertzman, David A and Gerlach, S Craig}, title = {{Two Roads Approach to Co-Reclamation}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, year = {2022}, month = jun, url = {https://climateinstitute.ca/publications/two-roads-approach-to-co-reclamation/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }