Chris O’Neil

DSocSci
Senior Associate, Indigenous-led Impact Assessment

I have over twenty-five years of experience in corporate social performance focused on Indigenous and public engagement and consultation, social impact assessment, traditional knowledge, permitting, and negotiation related to resource development and infrastructure projects. I hold a Doctor of Social Sciences from Royal Roads University. My doctoral research focused on improving the meaningfulness and efficiency of Indigenous engagement and consultation during environmental assessment. I also hold a Master of Science in Social Policy and Planning in Developing Countries from the London School of Economics, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with a concentration in Northern Planning and Development Studies from the University of Calgary.

I have been employed by a multi-national consulting company, energy companies, and have managed my own consulting company. I have led Indigenous engagement for energy projects (oil sands, conventional oil and gas, pipelines, bulk storage), mining projects (diamonds, gold, coal) and highway improvement projects. I am also a skilled researcher and writer.

My professional responsibilities have included developing and implementing corporate Indigenous and community relations policies and strategies, serving as the primary corporate contact between corporations and Indigenous communities, leading teams of engagement specialists responsible for enhancing relationships with Indigenous communities, leading and facilitating stakeholder and Indigenous consultations, public meetings and workshops, and preparing materials to support those events, satisfying regulatory requirements for Indigenous engagement, developing innovative approaches to co-consider traditional knowledge equally with western science in environmental assessment, fostering Indigenous content into project planning and execution, negotiating and implementing relationship and benefits agreements, and advising clients about Indigenous and community relations including risks and opportunities. My experience includes working with over 60 different Canadian Indigenous communities.

I am accomplished at developing and maintaining positive working relationships with Indigenous communities, governments, regulatory authorities, and team members to help them meet their strategic goals and interests. I am an effective project manager skilled at developing and implementing project plans and budgets.

Outside of my professional and scholarly pursuits, I enjoy spending time outside with my wife (Nina), taking our dog for walks in city parks, hiking and skiing in the mountains, vacationing both in large cities and on quiet beaches, and cheering on the Calgary Flames and Stampeders.

I live in Calgary, Alberta. I respectfully acknowledge that I live, work and play on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of Siksika, the Pikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw and Goodstoney First Nations, and is also home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government.