Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council was represented at the Indigenous Trailblazers Summit 2026, held May 5 and 6 in Edmonton, Alberta, through Destination Blackfoot Promotions Coordinator Cassie Ayoungman.

Ayoungman was selected as a panelist for #TheRavenRoundtable alongside Indigenous tourism leaders and entrepreneurs from across the Prairies and beyond. The panel focused on Indigenous tourism, authentic experiences, hidden gems, and the importance of showcasing Indigenous destinations and businesses across the region.

Ayoungman is also the founder of Soul Of Miistaki, a Blackfoot founded and Indigenous led nonprofit dedicated to creating welcoming outdoor experiences that celebrate diverse communities while honouring Indigenous traditions.

The summit brought together Indigenous leaders, professionals, businesses, and allies to amplify Indigenous voices, knowledge, and business leadership while creating space for collaboration, learning, and relationship building across industries.

Through Destination Blackfoot, BCTC continues to promote Blackfoot experiences, stories, businesses, and landscapes across Blackfoot Territory, known to our people as the Backbone of the World.

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For more information about the summit visit: https://www.indigenoustrailblazers.ca

: Indigenous Trailblazers Summit Webpage | L.P Photo

Destination Blackfoot and its operators were featured in Condé Nast Traveler on April 11, 2026, in a story presenting Blackfoot Country as one homeland that continues across the medicine line. The feature follows a journey through Blackfoot territory and positions Blackfoot led tourism as a direct expression of land, identity, and jurisdiction.

Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council CEO Kimmy Shade reinforced this foundation, stating the Nations “have been gathering since time immemorial,” and describing the work as “not looking at the border as a barrier… this is our land.” The story reflects Destination Blackfoot’s role in reconnecting experiences across all four Nations and sharing Blackfoot perspectives on a global stage.

Operators featured include Lailani Upham of Iron Shield Creative, Pale Horse Tipi Camp (Piikani Nation), Melrene Saloy of Native Diva Creations, Grant Many Heads of Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Derek DesRosier of Sun Tours, and Marjie Crop Eared Wolf at the Paahtómahksikimi Cultural Centre. Together, they represent Blackfoot people telling Blackfoot stories, on Blackfoot land, through Destination Blackfoot.

the story is avaiable for read here below: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/in-blackfoot-country-indigenous-nations-offer-a-different-view-of-the-us-canada-border

Cassie Ayoungman joins Blackfoot Confederacy as Destination Blackfoot Promotion Coordinator
Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council is proud to announce the appointment of Cassie Ayoungman as Destination Blackfoot Promotion Coordinator. Cassie is a member of Siksika Nation and has been one of the featured operators within Destination Blackfoot through her organization Soul Of Miistaki, an Indigenous led initiative that shares land based experiences rooted in Blackfoot knowledge.

Cassie is a proud Siksika’ki (Blackfoot woman) raised on Siksika Nation Alberta. Basketball was a big part of her upbringing and remains close to her heart. She later participated in the Indigenous military Bold Eagle program before discovering mountain sports in her mid twenties. Cassie quickly recognized the lack of diversity in outdoor spaces and was inspired to create Soul of Miistaki, a not for profit that brings people together through hiking climbing biking and skiing while incorporating Indigenous cultural practices and teachings.

Climbing has been both a teacher and healer for Cassie offering lessons in resilience and personal growth. She continues to give back to her Nation as a practicing paramedic and through her work as an Arc’teryx Alberta Ambassador, advancing representation and awareness for Indigenous presence in outdoor communities.

In her new role with Destination Blackfoot Cassie will help elevate operators across the Confederacy, strengthen partnerships, and showcase the growing network of tourism experiences rooted in Siksikaitsitapi culture. Her leadership will ensure that the promotion of Blackfoot tourism remains guided by community values and continues to benefit our Nations.

We are excited to welcome Cassie to this new position. Look out for updates on Destination Blackfoot in the coming weeks, including operator spotlights, new visitor resources, and Confederacy wide initiatives that will highlight our people and our lands.

📷: from Cassie Ayoungman | Soul of Miistaki Website

The Blackfoot Confederacy, through the Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council (BCTC), is launching a comprehensive feasibility study to explore the potential transformation of Waterton Springs Campground into a premier Blackfoot eco-cultural destination. This initiative underscores the Confederacy’s ongoing commitment to preserving the land while offering enriched cultural experiences for both community members and visitors. The project is designed to deliver sustainable long-term benefits- social, environmental, economic, and cultural, to all four Blackfoot nations, with a particular focus on Blackfoot traditions and the expanding Indigenous Tourism sector.

Active engagement with Confederacy members is crucial to the success of this initiative. By gathering insights and feedback, BCTC ensures that the project reflects the collective goals, knowledge, and values of the four nations. The feasibility study serves as the foundation for evaluating the potential for ownership and revitalization of the campground.

At this preliminary stage the project remains conceptual, and no final decisions have been made regarding development plans or timelines.

To guide our way forward, four local Community Liaisons from each of our Nations will be embracing any and every kind of contribution and feedback from our community members, hearing ideas and perspectives through coffee chats and the online survey.

Our Community Liaisons are:

• Heather Black – Kainai-Blood Tribe
• Jamie Spring Chief – Siksika Nation
• Lailani Upham – Aamskapi-Pikuni
• Leilani McDougall – Piikani Nation

An online survey has also been developed to ensure broad participation and engagement within the community. Members are strongly encouraged to contribute their ideas and perspectives by completing the survey or participating in interviews. This will ensure that the recommendations align with the collective vision and priorities of the Siksikaitsitapi Nations.

If you are a community member in the region, you can become involved by sharing your insights via a brief survey which can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BCTC-Campground

Contact and Media:

Theoren Royal,
Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager
Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council
Email: Theorenr@blackfootconfederacy.ca

Kimmy Houle,
Director of Environment, Lands, and Economic Development
Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council
E-mail: Kimmys@blackfootconfederacy.ca

The Blackfoot Entrepreneur Business Network (BEBN) is focused on advancing economic sovereignty within the Blackfoot business community!

Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council would like to proudly acknowledge and extend our sincere thanks to Ashley Day Chief and the Blackfoot Entrepreneur Steering Committee for their dedication and commitment to launching the Blackfoot Entrepreneur Business Network website and social media platforms!

This milestone represents a powerful step forward for Blackfoot entrepreneurs as we continue to strengthen and uplift our community’s economic future. Exciting times are ahead for Blackfoot business leaders!

We invite you to explore and support our network at [bebn.ca] https://www.bebn.ca

Blackfoot Confederacy attended the Iroquois Caucus General Assembly hosted by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke on May 29-30, 2024.

The gathering provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen our nations’ relationships and engage in productive dialogues surrounding key issues like the Jay Treaty Border Alliance and cross-border protocols. The visit also included a welcoming ceremony and Kahnawà:ke community tour for Chiefs, Elders, and staff representatives from Blackfoot Confederacy.

The Iroquois Caucus has played an important role in strengthening relations among our sovereign nations since 2022. We extend our sincere appreciation to the Kahnawà:ke community and Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer for facilitating a meaningful visit on Mohawk Territory.

The Siksika Recovery Centre is a $35-million investment that will add 76 long-term treatment beds in the region. In total, these beds will support 300 people every year in their pursuit of recovery. The Siksika Recovery Centre is now entering the construction phase with completion expected in 2026.

“Siksika Nation is grateful for this support from Alberta’s government. Countless lives will be changed because of the partnership we have built around recovery,” said Nioksskaistamik Chief Ouray Crowfoot.

This new facility is a key part of the Alberta Recovery Model, which adds 10,000 treatment spaces and expands the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program over the past five years.

For more information: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm…