IOGC News
University of Alberta Computer Engineering Student Gains Valuable Work Experience at Indian Oil and Gas Canada
Aug. 22, 2023
By Glen Parent, Manager Communications and Executive Services, Indian Oil and Gas Canada
Jacob Umble recently concluded his summer work program in Information Technology at Indian Oil and Gas Canada. Umble was part of a three-person IT team and one of three university students employed at IOGC in the summer of 2023 under the Federal Student Work Experience Program.
Jacob Umble at Indian Oil and Gas Canada's office at the Tsuut'ina Nation near Calgary.
Photo by Glen Parent, IOGC
FSWEP is designed to help secondary or post-secondary students discover the many career paths that the Government of Canada has to offer across the country. Students gain meaningful experience working on projects and initiatives that impact the lives of Canadians while earning a competitive salary.
Umble is from northern Alberta – he was born in Lac La Biche and he grew up in Grande Prairie. In the fall of 2023, Umble will start his third year of study at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. He is working on a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering.
Umble's path to summer employment at IOGC was straightforward. "I Googled 'Canada Jobs,'" said Umble. "I found the FSWEP website and I submitted my electronic application. The hiring process did not take long and I was very grateful to find full-time employment in a job that was closely related to my studies."
IOGC manages and regulates oil and gas resources on designated First Nation lands across Canada. A special operating agency within Indigenous Services Canada, IOGC's dual mandate is to fulfill the Crown's fiduciary and statutory obligations related to the management of oil and gas resources on First Nation lands and to further First Nation initiatives to manage and control their oil and gas resources. IOGC's offices are located at the Tsuut'ina Nation, just outside Calgary.
"At IOGC I troubleshooted network issues, deployed mobile device management on new phones and I even gained some programming experience," said Umble. "The best parts of the job were learning more about how users interact with a computer network and finding ways to make their experiences more streamlined."
"I knew what I was getting into. This job was a valuable experience for me and I was part of a great team."
To learn more about the Federal Student Work Experience Program, please visit the FSWEP website.
Archived 2023
July
Indian Oil and Gas Canada hosts Calgary Stampede Breakfast
Indian Oil and Gas Canada held a Calgary Stampede breakfast outside their office on the Tsuut'ina Nation on July 6, where over 300 IOGC staff, family and guests enjoyed a tasty breakfast of eggs, pancakes and sausages. To add to the fun, a photo booth and various games were set up. The Calgary Stampede celebrates western heritage and brings the world together to experience the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
The Stampede breakfast tradition dates back to 1923. Early pancake breakfasts were linked to the chuckwagon crews who served them and who were an integral part of life on the plains. In the 1950s, Stampede breakfast events spread across Calgary. Sponsored by countless groups and businesses, they are a favourite activity for many during the Calgary Stampede.
To learn more about the Calgary Stampede's Indigenous roots, see this 2019 article in Avenue Magazine.
With files from the Calgary Stampede website.
Cristi Adams, IOGC's Acting Executive Director and CEO (left) and IOGC Directors Brenda Cherniawsky, Munir Jivraj and Jeff Schatz
at IOGC's Stampede breakfast on July 6.
Photo by Glen Parent, IOGC
IOGC staff, family and guests enjoy a traditional Calgary Stampede breakfast at the Tsuut'ina Nation on July 6.
Photo by Glen Parent, IOGC
Alex Big Plume, a Land Analyst with IOGC, demonstrates his calf roping skills during IOGC's Stampede breakfast on July 6.
Photo by Glen Parent, IOGC
May
Indian Oil and Gas Canada Acting CEO participates in panel discussion at Forward Summit West conference
By Glen Parent, IOGC Manager, Communications and Executive Services
May 25, 2023
Cristi Adams, Acting Executive Director and CEO of Indian Oil and Gas Canada, participated in a panel discussion on Indigenous ownership in the energy sector at the Forward Summit West on May 18.
Cristi Adams, Acting Executive Director and CEO of Indian Oil and Gas Canada (left) speaks during a panel discussion at the Forward Summit near Calgary on May 18. At right is Katie Kachur, Vice-President, Government Relations, West, for the Canadian Propane Association.
Photo by Millie Reeder, ARIA Media.
The theme of the conference, held on May 17 and 18 at the Grey Eagle Casino and Resort on the Tsuut'ina Nation near Calgary, was Empowering Indigenous Economies. Nearly 1000 delegates from First Nations, the energy industry, various levels of governments and others attended the conference.
"Economic sovereignty is the pathway to full sovereignty," said Adams. Speaking about the importance of First Nations organizing themselves to participate as full partners with industry, Adams said, "Band-owned companies allow First Nations to have a voice at the table instead of being a silent partner."
Katie Kachur, Vice-President, Government Relations, West for the Canadian Propane Association, also participated in the panel discussion. Kachur emphasized the importance of the energy industry and Indigenous businesses working together on existing and new energy projects. "Canadians need reliable and affordable energy," said Kachur.
IOGC is an agency within Indigenous Services Canada that manages and regulates oil and gas resources on designated First Nation lands. In the last five years, royalties and other payments resulting from oil and gas exploration paid to First Nations in western Canada totaled over $350 million.
IOGC is based at the Tsuut'ina Nation, just west of Calgary. IOGC negotiates and administers agreements between the Crown, First Nations and oil and gas companies. IOGC is currently working with over 55 First Nations in western Canada with the management of their oil and gas resources.
Indian Oil and Gas Canada: https://www.pgic-iogc.gc.ca/
March
Indian Oil and Gas Canada employee serves interests of First Nations
By Glen Parent, Manager Communications and Executive Services, Indian Oil and Gas Canada
March 24, 2023.
Jenny Zeng is a Royalty Analyst at Indian Oil and Gas Canada. She works at IOGC's office on the Tsuut'ina Nation, just west of Calgary. Zeng was introduced to IOGC in 2019 when she worked there as a summer student and in early 2023 she began working full-time for IOGC.
The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology's Oil and Gas Production Accounting Program, which Zeng completed in 2019, helped get her ready for a career in the oil and gas industry.
Jenny Zeng, a Royalty Analyst with Indian Oil and Gas Canada, pictured at IOGC's office on the Tsuut'ina Nation near Calgary.
Photo by Glen Parent, IOGC
"The program at SAIT definitely prepared me for the job I'm working at now, said Zeng. "I learned from the perspective of industry how data submissions and royalty calculations are made. I have applied this knowledge every single day I've worked at IOGC. I highly recommend SAIT's Oil and Gas Production Accounting program for those who wish to work in this area."
Before completing the program at SAIT, Zeng earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta, majoring in Accounting.
IOGC manages and regulates oil and gas resources on designated First Nation lands across Canada. A special operating agency within Indigenous Services Canada, IOGC's dual mandate is to fulfill the Crown's fiduciary and statutory obligations related to the management of oil and gas resources on First Nation lands and to further First Nation initiatives to manage and control their oil and resources.
In IOGC's Royalty Client Service section, Zeng works with oil and gas companies that produce on First Nation lands. She ensures production data submissions are complete, which enables accurate royalty payment calculations and, in conjunction with IOGC's Finance team, ensures proper payments from oil and gas companies to First Nation trust accounts in return for oil and gas development that takes place on First Nation lands.
When asked what she likes best about her job, Zeng replied, "My workday is always interesting and not repetitive. I enjoy analyzing information, digging into issues and finding answers. Most of all, the work I do is in the best interests of our First Nations clients. That's what IOGC is for."
A few years into her career, Zeng has some advice for young professionals preparing for work in the oil and gas sector: "Focus on being a good analyst and a critical thinker. We are seeing rapid developments in the technology that helps us do our work, but technology can never replace your curiosity or your values."
On a more personal note, Zeng has played piano for several years, and she plays now for her own enjoyment. She is also an avid hiker, and can often be found on the mountain trails around Banff, Alberta.
Zeng is completing the training needed to obtain her Chartered Professional Accountant designation. She is looking forward to opportunities to meet with Chiefs and Councils from First Nations that produce oil and gas to learn more about the economic benefits that responsible development of energy resources provide to First Nations.
Indian Oil and Gas Canada: https://www.pgic-iogc.gc.ca/.
Indian Oil and Gas Canada participates in Energy and Economic Reconciliation Conference in Calgary
By Glen Parent, IOGC Manager, Communications and Executive Services
March 21, 2023.
Representatives of Indian Oil and Gas Canada participated in the Energy and Economic Reconciliation Conference, held in Calgary on March 1st and 2nd and hosted by the Indian Resource Council of Canada.
Greg Desjarlais, IRC Chairperson and Chief of Frog Lake First Nation, set the tone for the conference during his opening remarks. "If we are going to be truly sovereign people we need economic strength. Resources are a big part of that," said Chief Desjarlais. "We invite investors to come to our lands, partner with us and develop these important resources."
The conference featured speakers and panelists from a wide range of backgrounds, including First Nation leaders, business leaders and government representatives from federal, provincial and municipal levels.
The global demand for reliable and responsibly-produced energy was a consistent theme during the conference. "We see in the world the need for energy," said Stephen Buffalo, the IRC's President and CEO. "We want to make sure economic development and environmental protection are balanced. First Nations will continue to work for responsible development of energy resources."
Indian Oil and Gas Canada representatives attended the Indian Resource Council conference in Calgary on March 1st and 2nd. Left to right are Jeff Schatz, Olga Matsula, Cristi Adams, Acting Executive Director and CEO, and Tanya Legere.
Photo by Glen Parent, IOGC
Cristi Adams, IOGC's Acting Executive Director and CEO, along with other IOGC attendees, took part in the event. Adams spoke at the IRC's annual general meeting, held just before the conference. She emphasized the importance of resource development to First Nations and discussed the positive trends seen in the past two years. "We are seeing recovery in the oil and gas sector," said Adams. "Development of Indigenous oil and gas resources result in economic benefits to First Nations and contribute to global energy security."
IOGC is an agency within Indigenous Services Canada that assists First Nations with managing oil and gas exploration, extraction and remediation. In the last five years, royalties and other payments resulting from oil and gas exploration paid to First Nations in western Canada totaled over $350 million.
IOGC is based at the Tsuut'ina Nation, just west of Calgary. IOGC negotiates and administers agreements between the Crown, First Nations and oil and gas companies. IOGC works closely with Chiefs and Councils, as Band Council approval is required for all oil and gas contracts involving First Nations. IOGC is currently working with over 55 First Nations in western Canada with the management of their oil and gas resources.
Indian Oil and Gas Canada: https://www.pgic-iogc.gc.ca/.