Engagement
Rightsholders
Working with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia
The Lazy Head Project is located within Mi’kma’ki, the traditional territory of the Mi’kmaq. The Mi’kmaq have established Aboriginal and Treaty Rights — including the Aboriginal right to hunt, fish, and gather for food, social, and ceremonial purposes, and Treaty rights to harvest for a “moderate livelihood” — that flow from the Peace and Friendship Treaties of the 1700s and are protected under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
The Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia are Rightsholders in any project undertaken within Mi’kma’ki. The Project team is committed to ongoing, meaningful engagement with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia throughout the life of the Project.
Informed Dialogue
Memorandum of Understanding with the Assembly
Meaningful Engagement
On June 1, 2026, Carver, Morien and the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs executed a MOU establishing a formal framework for engagement, capacity support, and the negotiation of a Mutual Benefits Agreement over the life of the Lazy Head Project.
Sipekne’katik Governance Initiative
The Proponent entered into the Sipekne’katik Governance Initiative (SGI) with Sipekne’katik First Nation in August 2025. The SGI is a community-based engagement process that guides how proponents and Sipekne’katik engage on projects proposed within its traditional territory, supporting informed dialogue on matters of interest to Sipekne’katik over the life of the Project.
Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study
Carver and Morien have contracted Membertou Geomatics Solutions to complete a Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study (MEKS) for the Project. The MEKS is being conducted in accordance with the Mi’kmaq Ecological Knowledge Study Protocol and is expected to be completed in mid to late 2026.
Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment
An Archaeological Resource Impact Assessment (ARIA) has been completed by the Cultural Resource Management Group, with Mi’kmaq input, under Heritage Research Permit Number A2025NS184. The ARIA included background research, systematic visual inspection, and shovel testing across the Project area.
No evidence of pre-contact Mi’kmaq use was identified within the Project area itself; however, a small section of coastline has been identified as having high archaeological potential based on physical landscape characteristics rather than any field findings. The Project’s processing plant and other infrastructure have been laid out to avoid this area.
Ongoing Engagement
The Project team continues to engage directly with Mi’kmaq communities, with the Kwilmu’kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiation Office (which represents 11 of the 13 Mi’kmaq First Nations in Nova Scotia in consultation), and with Sipekne’katik First Nation and Millbrook First Nation, both of which represent their own communities.
Engagement to date has included in-person meetings, a presentation to the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs, and ongoing correspondence on Project scoping and the environmental assessment process.