Alberta and Blackfoot Confederacy Renew Agreement

The Government of Alberta and the Blackfoot Confederacy signed a relationship agreement that will set out a formal process for ministers, chiefs and councils to meet regularly on pre-agreed topics including: education, environment and lands, health, economic development and employment and political and legal issues. The Blackfoot Confederacy includes three First Nations in southern Alberta: the Blood Tribe (also known as the Kainai First Nation), Piikani Nation and Siksika Nation. Together, these First Nations have more than 22,000 members. Alberta is providing a $200,000 grant to the Blackfoot Confederacy to support the agreement’s implementation. The agreement will remain in place for as long as both parties wish to keep it active.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce advanced the conversation with their Lessons in Reconciliation initiative. The chamber network believes that business and the indigenous community can and should come together to come to an understanding and see what goals can be met together. Reconciliation is not an obligation but rather an opportunity. Read about  Lessons in Reconciliation: What We Heard in Saskatoon, Thunder Bay and Fredericton.