Historic occasion

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On what their leaders called "a historic occasion," the four bands of the Blackfoot Nation- Peigan, Blood, Siksika, and the U.S.-based Blackfeet-renewed their unity and their hopes for the future by signing the Blackfoot Confederacy Declaration during the Siksika Nation's annual gathering Aug. 12.

The ceremony was delayed a few hours while organizers awaited the arrival of Alberta Premier Ralph Klein who was delayed at the First Minister's conference in Winnipeg.

Siksika Chief Adrian Stimson did not let that cloud the proceedings, however. "Mr. Klein couldn't get away because they [the premiers] didn't have consensus on some of their issues," he said. "That is similar to what happens to us occasionally. We do have differences of opinions about what we want to do politically sometimes."

Those differences were overcome and the result is the Blackfoot Confederacy Declaration. It is a document that reasserts the historic links between the four bands, their determination to preserve their language and culture, and their claim to sacred sites throughout the original Blackfoot territory stretching from central Alberta and Saskatchewan south to Montana. The document also states that the Canada -United States border arbitrarily divided the confederacy, interfering with its religious and economic relationships and separating families.

The reunification of the four bands will increase the co-operation among their 33,000 members, and give them more clout in their dealings with government. This was a theme that Daryl (Gordo) Horn vice chairman of the Blackfeet from Browning, Mont. picked up on. "Since I've been here, I have met many relatives I never knew I had from all three bands and the only thing that keeps us apart is that border," he stated. "We are a Blackfoot Nation. Why should we deal with the State of Montana? From now on, we will be dealing as a nation with the U.S. government."

The declaration is seen not only as a chance to address past injustices, but also as a means of addressing new challenges. Chief Chris Shade of the Blood tribe noted the agreement will also have benefits beyond the political sphere. "Our young people have to be rescued and given the chance to contribute," he said. "Demographically, our biggest population is the young people and we need to learn from each other in areas of their economic and social development."

Grand Chief Mike Mitchell of the Mohawk Council was a special guest at the ceremony. He brought both his hard-won experience and some encouragement to his hosts. He talked of his arrests and legal battles with the federal government over the Mohawks' contention that the border and its duties do not apply to them. The Mohawks have won their court cases at every level and are now awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court.

Mitchell spoke of the accomplishments of the Mohawk people including the fact they have their own border crossing and passport. He stressed that, although the fight is long and hard, it is crucial. "The time has come for Canada to stop treating us like children," he told the audience. "It is not Canada or the United States that will recognize your rights as a nation-it is you. The only ones who are going to reconstruct a nation is the nation itself. You have to make your own laws."

This message struck a chord with the younger members of the four bands. Edwin Small Legs is a Peigan councillor who worked on the declaration for six years and he feels the document amounts to a gesture of defiance. "Today, we're telling the governments that they won't Christianize us, conquer us or divide us any more. As long as I'm walking the face of this Earth that won't happen," he said.

Like many attending the signing, Small Legs has personal experience with the issues the declaration addresses. "My grandmother comes from the Blackfeet Nation in Montana. On her dying bed, she said to my mom, "why couldn't I have been with my grandchildren from Canada, why couldn't I have raised my granchildren?" It was the border she blamed and the sad thing about it is we lived only two hours away from each other and we were worlds apart."

Small Legs said the signing of the Blackfoot Confederacy Declaration brings with it a new determination to get their own border crossing. Small Legs is prepared for a long fight.

"You will hear the Blackfoot drums along the border," he said. "We want what is ours and that is freedom."