On National Indigenous Peoples Day, Tsuut'ina Minor Chief Steven Crowchild expands on conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump at G7
Saturday, Tsuut'ina Minor Chief Steven Crowchild expanded upon his conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump that took place last Sunday on the tarmac at Calgary International Airport.
Crowchild welcomed the American president to Treaty 7 territory wearing a feathered headdress while Trump wore a white baseball cap with 'Make America Great Again' on it.
In a preamble to his explanation of his conversation with Trump, Crowchild emphasized the inter-connectedness between water and peace.
'Where water is polluted or privatized, conflict brews,' he said. 'Where peace is broken, water systems collapse.
'If we truly want peace, we must protect water,' he said. 'If we truly want security, we must act on climate change and environmental justice now.
Steven Crowchild
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Calgary International Airport, greeting Indigenous leader Steven Crowchild, Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Calgary, Canada, ahead of the G7 Summit. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Crowchild said he was calling on all world governments including Canada and the United States 'to put the protection, dignity, respect and love for all our children and future generations at the centre of decision-making -- and recognize access to clean water as a universal human right.
'And protect it in all national and international policies,' he added. 'Uphold Indigenous sovereignty and support Indigenous-led water protection and climate solutions. Fund global efforts to restore rivers, wetlands, and natural water systems as part climate adaptation and peace building.
'And ban the use of water as a weapon in conflict zones,' he said, 'and hold violators accountable under international law -- and above all, prioritize diplomacy and peaceful resolution over military escalation and arms spending.'
As for his Sunday night meet-and-greet on the tarmac with the American president, Crowchild said it was brief.
"It was a simple conversation," he said about the encounter, which received global attention when Crowchild described himself as 'filled with rage' while speaking with Trump.
Steven Crowchild
Tsuut'ina Minor Chief Steven Crowchild wearing the medal he showed President Trump at the G7 welcoming last Sunday night at Calgary International Airport
(Tyler Barrow, CTV Calgary)
'After sitting with my quote unquote rage and praying, I was reminded that my rage came from a place of grief and love – love for my people, all humanity, and love for this beautiful planet that we share," he said.
'And grief for those in the world suffering from the actions, words and inactions of a certain individual,' he said, 'and many others who have the ability to bring peace to the world.
'Our conversation was short,' he said, continuing. 'I introduced myself in my language and said 'this is native land'.
'(Then) I introduced myself in English and my nation,' he said. 'I showed him this treaty medal here and told him that it's older than Canada itself.
Canada Trump G7 Summit
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney walks with President Donald Trump after a group photo at the G7 Summit, Monday, June 16, 2025, in Kananaskis, Canada. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
'I said welcome to treaty, native land – and I wish you safe travels home.
'I told him that I speak for my babies, elders and future generations and to be a good leader and protect water for future generations.'
'All he said in response was something along the lines of 'Yeah. Yeah. We can do that.''
'And then, that was the end of our interaction,' said Crowchild, who met the press on National Indigenous Peoples Day.
'So hopefully they can do that,' he said. 'Because our collective survival depends on it.'
With files from CTV's Tyler Barrow
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