Mohkinstsis (Calgary), AB — October 15, 2026 — Blackfoot Confederacy is calling on Alberta Minister of Indigenous Relations Rajan Sawhney and the Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs’ Association to immediately correct public materials that misrepresent the political representation of the Siksika Nation, Kainai Blood Tribe and Piikani Nation. The Blackfoot Confederacy Nations formally withdrew from the Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs’ Association effective March 4, 2024, and that withdrawal was acknowledged in writing by the organization on March 15, 2024.

The Government of Alberta was also formally notified of this change in 2024 through official correspondence sent by email and signed by the Blackfoot Confederacy Chiefs. Alberta was therefore made aware at that time that the Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs’ Association no longer represented the Siksika Nation, Kainai Blood Tribe or Piikani Nation. That change has also been reflected in subsequent government to government work, including existing agreements, working tables and direct engagement structures involving Blackfoot Confederacy and the Government of Alberta.

Despite that history, the September 2026 ReconciliAction: Minister’s Newsletter issued by Alberta Indigenous Relations directs readers to the Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs’ Association as a resource for information recognizing the signing of Treaty No. 7. The newsletter correctly identifies the Blackfoot Nations, Tsuut’ina Nation, Stoney Nakoda Nations and the Crown as Treaty partners, but then directs readers to the Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs’ Association “About Us” page. The Minister’s newsletter is publicly available at: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/reconciliaction-ministers-newsletter

The Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs’ Association “About Us” page states that the organization serves as the political entity for Bearspaw, Chiniki, Wesley, Blood Tribe, Piikani Nation, Siksika Nation and Tsuut’ina Nation and collectively advocates for their rights and needs. The page is available at: https://www.treaty7.org/about

That statement is false and misleading as it relates to the Blood Tribe, Piikani Nation and Siksika Nation. The Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs’ Association does not represent or speak on behalf of the three Blackfoot Treaty 7 Nations. The Siksikaitsitapi Ohkin’niinaiks Society, incorporated in 2022, represents the three Blackfoot Treaty 7 Nations together with Amskapi Piikani as a collective political voice and entity for Blackfoot Confederacy.

This is particularly concerning because the information is being circulated through an official communication from Alberta’s Minister of Indigenous Relations and through a government publication with broad public reach. It may already have reached thousands of recipients who rely on the Minister and Government of Alberta for accurate information about Indigenous Nations, Treaty relationships and political representation. Directing the public to inaccurate information through an official government communication gives added credibility to a representation that Blackfoot Confederacy has already formally disputed and is damaging to the reputation and organizational standing of Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council.

The concern is further compounded by the Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs’ Association website, which continues to identify the Blood Tribe, Piikani Nation and Siksika Nation among the Nations it collectively advocates for and continues to maintain references to Blackfoot Confederacy and the individual Blackfoot Nations. Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council previously directed the organization to correct materials that implied representation or affiliation following the Blackfoot Nations’ formal withdrawal. Similar representations have now appeared again.

Blackfoot Confederacy is calling for the immediate removal of the Blood Tribe, Piikani Nation and Siksika Nation from all descriptions of the Nations politically represented by the Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs’ Association. Blackfoot Confederacy is also seeking corrections to any webpages, references or public materials that imply the organization speaks for or represents Blackfoot Confederacy or the three Blackfoot Treaty 7 Nations.

Blackfoot Confederacy is further calling on Minister Sawhney and Alberta Indigenous Relations to correct the September newsletter and ensure future Government of Alberta communications accurately distinguish between the Treaty 7 Nations and organizations that represent only some Treaty 7 Nations. This is especially concerning given recent efforts by Blackfoot Confederacy leadership to engage directly with Minister Sawhney and her office, while an organization that does not represent the Blackfoot Nations is being presented through an official ministerial communication as a source of information on Treaty No. 7.

Blackfoot Treaty 7 is a Nation to Nation agreement with the Crown, and the authority of the Siksika Nation, Kainai Blood Tribe and Piikani Nation cannot be assumed, transferred or represented by another organization without their authorization. The Government of Alberta has already been formally notified of this political structure and has engaged with Blackfoot Confederacy through established agreements and working tables that recognize that relationship.

Accurate representation is not optional when communicating on Treaty relationships, political authority and the rights of the Blackfoot Nations. Blackfoot Confederacy expects the Government of Alberta and the Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs’ Association to correct the public record and ensure that future communications accurately reflect who represents the Blackfoot Nations and the government to government structures already in place.

Full Statement is available below: