On National Indigenous Peoples Day, Tsuut’ina Minor Chief expands on comments to U.S. President Donald Trump at G7

Tsuut’ina Minor Chief Steven Crowchild explains upon his conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump in Calgary.

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.

Saturday at a media event on the Tsuut’ina Nation, 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.

Crowchild also called 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.

“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.

“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.’”

“So hopefully they can do that,” he said. “Because our collective survival depends on it.”

With files from CTV’s Tyler Barrow