Oki Siksikaitsitapi!

Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council would like to announce that our annual Stampede BBQ will take place this year on Wednesday July 09, 2025 from 11am -1pm at our Mohkinstsis (Calgary) Branch Office building!

This year’s event will include speeches from the Blackfoot Confederacy Chiefs, live entertainment including Double Rider (Siksika Nation), and insight into all that Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council offers.

Admission is free and open to anyone wishing to attend. We hope that you will join us for an afternoon of family friendly fun as we kick-off summer across Blackfoot Confederacy!
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Date: Wednesday July 09, 2025
Time: 11am-1pm
Location: Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council Calgary Branch Office | 7535 Flint Rd. SE, Calgary AB
Vendor spots are limited – please email: authenticallyindig@gmail.com

On 15 May 2025 in Mohkinstsis (Calgary, AB), Chief Troy Knowlton released a detailed rebuttal to Premier Danielle Smith’s 13 May letter. Speaking for the Blackfoot Confederacy, he argues that the Premier’s remarks circulate disinformation that obscures the intent and legal force of the Blackfoot Treaty (Treaty 7, 1877) and related Crown‑Indigenous agreements.

Knowlton distinguishes between misinformation—unintentional error—and disinformation—strategic falsehood—and warns that blurring the two weakens public understanding of Treaty rights. Such distortion, he contends, damages provincial‑First‑Nation relations and erodes Alberta’s wider governance framework.

The Premier’s proposal to escort a selectively chosen group of Treaty Chiefs to Ottawa is described as a divide‑and‑conquer tactic. Chiefs Ouray Crowfoot (Siksika) and Travis Plaited Hair (Kainai) agree that the trip offers no tangible benefit to Blackfoot citizens and risks fragmenting pan‑Treaty solidarity. On that basis, the Confederacy declines to participate.

Turning to policy, the Chiefs reiterate their opposition to Bill 54 (Citizen‑Led Referendum Act), stating that the legislation would undermine the constitutional doctrine of Treaty supremacy by subjecting Crown obligations to majoritarian vote, inject policy volatility that could deter long‑term investment, and signal a retreat from Alberta’s fiduciary duties toward First Nations.

Knowlton also rejects the “Go Along Chief” label and observes that separatist rhetoric has only strengthened First‑Nation unity nationwide. The Confederacy emphasizes that it recognizes no office of “Grand Chief,” and that decision‑making authority is shared equally by the Chiefs of Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani; all government correspondence must therefore be addressed to all three leaders.

The statement urges Albertans—particularly scholars, media professionals, and civil‑society actors—to consult peer‑reviewed research and primary Treaty documents so that policy dialogue is grounded in evidence and authentic First‑Nation perspectives.

The Chiefs acknowledge the intellectual labour and steadfast advocacy of Blackfoot citizens, neighbouring Indigenous Nations, and allies across Canada. Their collective efforts, they affirm, advance the full implementation of the Treaties and the realization of Indigenous sovereignty.

Mohkinstsis (Calgary, AB) — May 09, 2025

Today, the Nations of the Blackfoot Confederacy—Kainai, Piikani, and Siksika—formalized a renewed relationship with the City of Calgary through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Communication and Cooperation.

Chiefs Troy Knowlton (Piikani Nation), Ouray Crowfoot (Siksika Nation), Former Chief Roy Fox (for Chief Travis Plaited Hair Kainai – Blood Tribe) and Pat Armstrong (for Chairman Rodney Gervais – Amskapi Pikuni) executed the agreement on behalf of the Confederacy; Mayor Jyoti Gondek signed for the City. This MOU—the first ever between Calgary and the Blackfoot Nations—establishes a clear framework for transparent dialogue, regular engagement, and collaborative action on matters of mutual priority.

“The relationship between the Blackfoot Nations and the City of Calgary extends back to the origins of Fort Calgary—a site deeply rooted in the history of Mohkinstsis. This Memorandum of Understanding serves as a formal recognition of that enduring connection, reaffirming the historical and cultural ties between the City and the Blackfoot people.

With Mohkinstsis located within our ancestral territory, this agreement symbolizes a commitment to mutual respect, cooperation, and the preservation of our shared history. Together, we look forward to a collaborative future that reflects the strength of our longstanding relationship.” – Chief Troy Knowlton, Piikani Nation

While not legally binding, the MOU affirms shared values that will guide joint initiatives in environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and cultural advancement. It acknowledges the Confederacy’s deep, unbroken relationship to the land and aligns with the City’s commitment to advancing the municipal Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

City Council unanimously approved the MOU on April 29, 2025, following a recommendation from its Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. With the agreement now in effect, Blackfoot Confederacy leadership and City Administration will move forward together to implement its provisions and demonstrate the strength of Nation-to-City cooperation within Blackfoot Territory.

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Media Contact: Theoren Royal, Corporate Affairs and Communcations Manager

Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council

E: Theorenr@Blackfootconfederacy.ca

Photo from: ©The City of Calgary

Blackfoot Confederacy Chiefs Reject Bill 54 and Reassert Treaty Sovereignty

On May 1, 2025, the Chiefs of the Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy)—representing the Nations of Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Aamskapi Piikani—formally denounced Alberta’s proposed Bill 54, the Citizen-Led Referendum Act. They stated that the bill is incompatible with the Canadian constitutional framework and undermines the legal obligations established through foundational treaty agreements. The Chiefs emphasized that the 1877 Blackfoot Treaty 7, alongside Treaties 6 (1876) and 8 (1899), was negotiated as a nation-to-nation agreement grounded in mutual recognition, peaceful coexistence, and shared stewardship of territory. These treaties were not instruments of land surrender and remain binding legal frameworks within Canada’s constitutional structure.

The Chiefs reaffirmed that Blackfoot sovereignty predates Alberta’s entry into Confederation and is anchored in Nitsitapii natural law, further reinforced by the 1855 Lame Bull Treaty. This sovereignty extends across the imposed Canada-U.S. border, encompassing traditional territories in both Alberta and Montana. As such, the Chiefs argued that provincial referendums—especially those addressing constitutional questions such as separation—lack the jurisdiction to alter, override, or reinterpret treaty rights, which are protected under both domestic and international law.

Today, the Siksikaitsitapi Confederacy governs over 25,000 members and exercises stewardship over approximately 2,500 square kilometers of land in southern Alberta. This governance is enacted through Indigenous legal orders transmitted through generations and remains active in areas including land management, cultural revitalization, and intergovernmental relations. The Confederacy’s responsibilities are grounded in ancestral law and actively uphold Blackfoot nationhood.

The Chiefs called on Premier Danielle Smith to withdraw Bill 54 and redirect provincial focus toward treaty education, reconciliation, and the fulfillment of Alberta’s constitutional and legal obligations to First Nations. They concluded by affirming that the Blackfoot Treaty remains a living, sacred covenant that must continue to guide relationships between governments – “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow.”

The full statement can be read here:

The Blackfoot Confederacy successfully hosted the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs (AOTC) Spring Sitting on April 8 and 9, 2025, at the Westin Airport Hotel in Calgary, Alberta. This strategic gathering convened leaders from Treaty 6, 7, and 8 Nations to enhance collaboration and address critical issues surrounding Inherent and Treaty Rights, land management, and the impacts of government decisions. Building on the Unity Declaration from 2021, the assembly focused on key reforms aimed at improving equitable representation and communication among the Nations, ensuring their voices are integral to decision-making processes.

The agenda included comprehensive updates on previous resolutions, discussions on the AOTC reform paper, and presentations from notable leaders, including Chief Ouray Crowfoot and representatives from the Jay Border Treaty Alliance and G7 World Leadership Summit. These deliberations reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to advancing the rights and interests of Indigenous communities, positioning them for greater influence in future engagements with governmental bodies. The outcomes from this assembly are set to significantly enhance the empowerment and sovereignty of the Treaty Nations as they navigate critical challenges ahead.

Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council is pleased to announce the 2025 Indigenous Early Learning & Child Care (IELCC) Symposium, taking place on May 22-23, 2025, at Deerfoot Inn & Casino in Mohkinstsis (Calgary, AB).

The Symposium is open to the Early Learning Community, including frontline workers, parents, managers/directors, and leadership. This event will provide valuable insights, workshops, and opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Theme: IIYOTKANONTTATTAAM AWAAAPISWA KOKOSINNONIKS – Our Children Are Precious

Registration is now open!

• For all symposium attendees please complete the registration via the link below
• Vendors and Information Booth Inquiries: Please do not fill out registration form as your entry will be removed. For all inquiries related to vendors or information booths please contact Sheila Fox via email at: Sheila.sinopaacss@gmail.com

Dates: Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23, 2025
Location: Deerfoot Inn & Casino, Calgary, Alberta

This symposium will convene Elders, educators, knowledge keepers, policymakers, and community advocates to engage in critical discussions, foster collaborative partnerships, and explore innovative solutions informed by traditional Blackfoot knowledge and contemporary Indigenous frameworks. The event will be hosted by Master of Ceremonies, Natoyi’sokasiim, Lowa Beebe.

Symposium Highlights

• Opening Ceremony: Welcoming remarks from the Chiefs of the Blackfoot Confederacy and Interim CEO Carol Mason
• Keynote Presentations: Focused discussions on kinship networks, cognitive and socio-emotional development in early learning, community resilience, food sovereignty, and Indigenous governance, featuring:
  • Otahksikinakim, Wilton Good Striker – Blackfoot Knowledge Keeper, Kainai-Blood Tribe
  • Mariah Gladstone – Founder of Indigikitchen and advocate for Indigenous food systems and health sovereignty, Amskapi Piikani
  • Dr. Deborah Pace, PhD, RPsych – Educator and Psychologist, Kainai-Blood Tribe
  • Miranda Bernard – Specialist in Mi’kmaw early learning and childcare governance, Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey, Eskasoni First Nation
  • Tsapinaaki, Dr. Gabrielle Weasel Head, PhD – Associate Professor of Indigenous Studies, Mount Royal University, Kainai-Blood Tribe
• Kaahsinnooniks (Historians) Think Tank: A panel discussion featuring Siksika, Kainai, Piikani and Amskapi Pikuni Knowledge Holders on applying historical knowledge to address contemporary and future challenges
• National Policy Panels: Expert discussions featuring representatives from the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), and other organizations advancing Indigenous childcare policy
• Community Engagement Opportunities: Youth Talent Showcase, evening reception, meal services, and numerous networking sessions

Grounded in Siksikaitsitapi values and cultural protocols, the IELCC Symposium 2025 seeks to strengthen Indigenous early learning systems through informed dialogue, collective action, and a lasting commitment to intergenerational resilience and well-being.