The Chiefs of the Blackfoot Confederacy have released a statement affirming that the 1877 Blackfoot Treaty recognizes their sovereignty and jurisdiction. These rights are not negotiable and cannot be transferred to outside organizations.

The Chiefs stated that only individual Treaty First Nations have the authority to make decisions on Blackfoot lands. No organization, including the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), may speak or act on behalf of the Blackfoot people without their consent.

Infrastructure projects in Blackfoot Territory must be led by the Blackfoot Confederacy, grounded in their governance systems, and guided by free, prior, and informed consent. The Chiefs said that relying on the AFN to make decisions affecting Blackfoot lands undermines their authority.

The Chiefs also raised concerns about the use of the term “National Interest” as a way to bypass treaty rights and Indigenous laws. They stated that projects impacting their lands, resources, or communities must be reviewed through Blackfoot decision making processes and reflect Blackfoot values.

The Confederacy called on all levels of government to respect the nation to nation relationship, recognize the lands in question, and uphold Indigenous rights, including self determination, language, culture, and traditions.

The Blackfoot Confederacy stated that sovereignty is a lived authority that must be recognized in all government decisions that affect their lands, as is the case for all Treaty Nations from 1 to 11.

Read the full statement below: