Treaty 7 was an agreement between Queen Victoria and several, mainly Blackfoot, First Nation band governments in what is today the southern portion of Alberta. It was concluded on September 22, 1877. The agreement was signed at the Blackfoot Crossing of the Bow River, at the present-day Siksika Nation reserve, approximately 100 km (62 mi) east of Calgary. Chief Crowfoot was one of the signatories to Treaty 7.
Divergent understandings of the treaty’s purpose, combined with significant cultural and linguistic barriers and what many have argued were deliberate attempts to mislead the First Nations on the part of the government negotiators, led to ongoing conflicts since its inception that continue today.
Last Friday CFN held a gathering at the Centre to recognize the signing of Treaty 7 and both its historical and cultural impact and is a part of CFNs ongoing efforts with its Indigenous Education for Newcomers Initiative. Working in partnership, our ultimate goal is to support efforts aimed at ending cycles of systemic discrimination and abuse faced by Indigenous people through culturally appropriate educational workshops on Indigenous issues, meaningful partnerships that seek to create alliances for public education and awareness among both partners and within the broader community.
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