The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation has signed an agreement with Teck Resources regarding the proposed Frontier oilsands project. The partnership ends several years of opposition the First Nation had towards the project.

“Now we have a system in place that protects ACFN’s interest and allows Teck to move forward, as long as they meet certain conditions of the agreement we signed onto,” said Chief Allan Adam of ACFN during a Tuesday interview. “When it comes to treaty-protected rights, they’re all in it.”

Adam could not offer details of the agreement, but was able to confirm topics protected and mentioned in the agreement.

The participation agreement will protect habitats for wood bison and woodland caribou, and restrict water withdrawals from the Athabasca River during low-flow periods.

The Vancouver-based company will also support ACFN’s community-based monitoring and guardian programs. Other opportunities include arrangements for contracting, employment a potential stake in the project.

“It is never easy to make these agreements,” said Pat Marcel, ACFN chief negotiator, in a statement. “But we’re confident that we struck a balance of protecting our lands and Treaty rights, while also securing a prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.”

ACFN and Teck will jointly lobby the provincial and federal government for additional measures regarding environmental impacts from oilsands projects. The First Nation says they are concerned about the commitments made by both governments to protect air, land, water and wildlife.

ACFN will also be participating in the Joint Review Panel hearings for the project, which begins later this month.

“There is still room to do more in the region. It all depends on the region’s players,” said Adam. “If they don’t want to work with the First Nations, we will continue to be at each other’s throats instead of having each other’s backs.”

Teck Resources’ Frontier Oilsands project would be located 110 kilometres north of Fort McMurray. It is designed to produce 260,000 barrels of bitumen per day for an estimated 41 years.

The company estimates up to 7,000 workers would be employed during peak construction of the project, while up to 2,500 people would be hired during operations.

The company has also signed agreements with Métis Nation of Alberta Region 1 and several Métis locals in Wood Buffalo.

Frontier is still opposed by the Mikisew Cree First Nation, with many of their concerns regarding the project’s impact on the park.

However, the project is also 30 kilometres from the boundaries of Wood Buffalo National Park and an ACFN reserve.

vmcdermott@postmedia.com