Alberta’s UCP government has signed a renewed relationship agreement with the Blackfoot Confederacy.
Premier Jason Kenney and Indigenous Relations Minister Rick Wilson were joined by the Chiefs of the Blood Tribe, Piikani, Siksika First Nations Monday (Sept. 23) to ink the Alberta-Blackfoot Confederacy Protocol Agreement.
The signing southeast of Gleichen, on the same spot where Treaty 7 was signed back in 1877.
This deal sets out a formal process for ministers, chiefs and councils to meet regularly to discuss a number of pre-arranged topics including education, environment and lands, health, economic development and employment and political and legal issues.
Premier Kenney says his government is focused on building a true partnership with Indigenous Peoples through shared prosperity. “This agreement will formalize how we build success together. I look forward to meeting with the chiefs each year to discuss our progress.”
Alberta is also providing the Blackfoot Confederacy with a $200,000 grant to support the agreement’s implementation.
The province notes the agreement will remain in place for as long as both parties wish to keep it active.