Indian Resource Council (IRC)

The IRC was founded in 1987 following the recommendation of a task force that was established to study the role of the Crown in the management of First Nations oil and natural gas resources. The IRC works to represent First Nations collective oil and gas interests with both government and industry. Current membership exceeds 130 First Nations from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick and the Northwest Territories.

The work of the IRC is guided by basic principles of:

• Supporting member First Nations in their efforts to attain full management and control of their oil and gas resources
• Ensuring the preservation of federal responsibilities established under Treaties with First Nations
• Coordinating the promotion of initiatives with the federal and provincial governments with industry and other groups associated with oil, natural gas and related activities to enhance economic benefits realized by First Nations from resource development
• Encouraging greater development and utilization of First Nations human resources

The IRC Board of Directors now stands at 17 members representing:

• Treaties 6, 7 and 8, Alberta (three members each)
• Saskatchewan (four members)
• Ontario (two members)
• Treaty 8, British Columbia (one member) and
• New Brunswick (one member)

The IRC has undertaken a number of initiatives designed to support First Nations in managing, controlling and obtaining maximum economic and human resource development benefits from their oil and gas resources.

For more information, visit the IRC web site .