OTTAWA, ONTARIO | July 17, 2026 — Blackfoot Confederacy concluded a highly successful 2026 Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Annual General Assembly, held July 14–16 in Ottawa, Ontario, achieving significant progress on Treaty implementation, political advocacy, Nation-to-Nation relationships, and economic development.

Representing Blackfoot Confederacy were Chief Traveller (Travis) Plaited Hair of Kainai-Blood Tribe, Chief Samuel Crowfoot of Siksika Nation, Chief Troy (Bossman) Knowlton of Piikani Nation, and Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council Chief Executive Officer Kimmy Shade.

Throughout the three-day Assembly, Blackfoot leadership maintained a strong national presence, participating in Assembly proceedings, strategic meetings with federal ministers, Treaty discussions, and Nation-to-Nation engagements that advanced priorities for Blackfoot Confederacy and its member Nations.

One of the Assembly’s most significant accomplishments was the successful adoption of AFN Resolution 13/2026 – Settling Treaty Land Entitlement Claims Outside the Specific Claims Process, moved by Chief Traveller (Travis) Plaited Hair and seconded by Chief Troy (Bossman) Knowlton.

The resolution calls upon Canada to establish dedicated negotiation processes for outstanding Treaty Land Entitlement claims that fall outside the federal Specific Claims process while providing long-term mandates to negotiate equitable compensation and land restitution. It builds upon the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2024 Shot Both Sides v. Canada decision, which confirmed Canada’s breach of its Treaty Land Entitlement obligations under the Blackfoot Treaty of 1877 and affirmed the Blood Tribe’s entitlement to additional reserve lands.

Blackfoot Confederacy also joined First Nations from Alberta and across Canada in supporting the emergency resolution opposing Alberta separation, reaffirming that no province has the constitutional authority to alter, diminish, or extinguish Treaty Rights or the constitutional relationship between First Nations and the Crown.

Another significant milestone was a historic gathering between Chiefs from Alberta and Quebec, strengthening relationships between Nations while reinforcing a united commitment to protecting Treaty Rights and advancing Indigenous priorities across Canada.

The Assembly also marked another historic achievement with the signing of the resolution, “To Establish the Relationship Between the Iroquois Caucus and the Blackfoot Confederacy and Create a Joint Economic Implementation Plan.” Signed on July 15, 2026, the agreement advances the Peace and Recognition Alliance through the creation of a Joint Economic Action Committee focused on intertribal trade, tourism, online gaming, information technology, resource management, and other joint economic initiatives between Blackfoot Confederacy and the Iroquois Caucus.

In recognition of the growing Nation-to-Nation relationship, Blackfoot Confederacy leadership was honoured with traditional gifts presented by representatives of the Iroquois Caucus, symbolizing mutual respect and a shared commitment to future collaboration.

Outside the official Assembly agenda, Chiefs participated in Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (NRTA) meetings before and after the Assembly, continuing discussions on Treaty implementation, natural resource jurisdiction, and coordinated advocacy among First Nations.

Leadership also met with the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, to discuss implementation of the Shot Both Sides v. Canada decision and advancing negotiations on the Kainai-Blood Tribe Treaty Land Entitlement claim. Additional meetings were held with the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc and other federal ministers and officials to advance priorities important to Blackfoot Confederacy.

Supporting the delegation throughout the Assembly were Blackfoot Confederacy Chiefs Society staff Pat Currie and Ryan Crosschild, together with Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council staff Theoren Royal and Andrea Yellow Horn, who assisted with government relations, communications, logistics, and Assembly coordination.

The 2026 AFN Annual General Assembly demonstrated the growing leadership and influence of Blackfoot Confederacy on the national stage. Through successful resolutions, strengthened political relationships, engagement with federal ministers, historic Nation-to-Nation agreements, and coordinated advocacy with First Nations across Canada, Blackfoot Confederacy generated significant momentum that will continue advancing the priorities of the Siksikaitsitapi.

-30-

Media Contact

Theoren Royal
Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager
Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council
theorenr@blackfootconfederacy.ca

Photo: Grand Chief Cody Diabo of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke presents Chief Traveller (Travis) Plaited Hair of Kainai-Blood Tribe with a traditional gift following the signing of the resolution, “To Establish the Relationship Between the Iroquois Caucus and the Blackfoot Confederacy and Create a Joint Economic Implementation Plan,” in Ottawa, Ontario, on July 16, 2026.