Blackfoot leaders rally for Treaty recognition at Confluence
Chiefs, elected officials, and legal experts gather Sunday to discuss Alberta court ruling on separation referendum and First Nations consultation.
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The Blackfoot Confederacy Chiefs Society hosted a Gathering for Treaty and Unity rally at The Confluence on Sunday, June 14, drawing Blackfoot Confederacy leadership, Treaty leaders from across the province, legal experts and Indigenous elected officials to discuss treaty relationships and the Alberta court's decision to quash the separation petition after failing to consult with First Nations.
Speakers included Kainai-Blood Tribe Chief Travis Plaited Hair, Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton, Siksika Chief Samuel Crowfoot, Edmonton-Rutherford MLA Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, Tsuut'ina Nation Chief Ellery Starlight, and visiting chiefs from Treaty 6 and Treaty 8.
The rally aimed to raise awareness among Calgary residents and the surrounding area about the situation and to bring together those concerned, said Plaited Hair. Looking around the crowd, he noted it was "really positive" that several non-Indigenous people from the city turned out.
"It was a good exchange of information that helped to serve everyone when they're faced with these decisions in the future," Plaited Hair said. He drew on his experience working in urban environments, saying collaboration is the best way to get things done, whether someone is from a city like Calgary or Lethbridge or from the reserve.
Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi highlighted the unexpected political moment. "If you had asked me two years ago, if I believe that the thing that would unite all Indigenous nations would be a defence of the colonial government, I probably wouldn't have taken that bet," Nenshi said. "But Indigenous peoples have been at the absolute forefront of fighting against separatism."
Nenshi stressed the importance of voters getting out to participate in October's referendum and said he will speak with the Association of Treaty Chiefs in Alberta later this week.
Bruce McIvor, partner at First Peoples Law LLP, said the biggest message for attendees is that everyone has a responsibility to learn more about Treaty rights leading up to the referendum. "Hopefully, that'll be a legacy of this process," McIvor said. "More people will know that Alberta's very legitimacy is based on those treaties."