The unique and long-standing culture of each indigenous group is a vital part of their community. We seek to honor those cultures by taking steps to learn about indigenous societies so that we know how to properly demonstrate respect in our relationships.  Some of our larger businesses have cultural awareness training that is required at all levels of the organization. In many cases, our stakeholder engagement leaders and business leaders will educate themselves through mentors in the indigenous community or through the help of local experts. One example is ConocoPhillips’ participation in the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation (AWN) Cultural Camp in Canada. This camp is hosted by AWN leaders, elders and community members and is designed to increase understanding between industry and aboriginal peoples in whose traditional territories we work. Typically the camp is held for three days, during which participants listen to community leaders and elders speak about their relationship with the land and the cultural values by which they are guided.

In Peru, our dialogue with the people of the indigenous communities was facilitated by the respect we showed their culture, world view and spirituality, property, possessions and customs. As a result, we have been able to carry out the early stages of exploration in Block 104 as a welcomed guest in these communities.  An example of building respect was the close relationship we forged with the Federation of Native Communities of the Tigre River while we were conducting exploration on Block 104. Over the course of several months and frequent visits to theses communities, we forged a solid relationship that is now considered quite favorable.