The Blackfoot Confederacy Chiefs met with the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), at the BFC’s Calgary branch office on August 11, 2026.
Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services; Chief Troy Knowlton, Piikani Nation.
Photo by: Blackfoot Confederacy Corporate Affairs and Communications Manager – Theoren Royal.]
The meeting was an opportunity for Blackfoot Confederacy Chiefs and leadership to table and discuss key matters of concern to their respective First Nation communities and the Confederacy as a whole.
Among the issues discussed were First Nation membership cards and related border-crossing matters. Cross-border mobility has always been an issue for the Blood Tribe with increased challenges recently. We advocated for the recognition of our Blood Tribe Membership Card as a valid identification document to assist our members in crossing the Canadian border. It is not always feasible for our members to obtain a status card due to costs and waiting periods. We explained to ISC that the issuing process for a Blood Tribe Membership Card is rigorous and secure and cannot be circumvented or easily manipulated. The process to receive a Blood Tribe Membership Card operates in accordance with our Membership Code. In response, the Minister made a referral to the Minister of Immigration, who is responsible for cross-border issues. Our next step is to send correspondence to the Minister of Immigration and secure a meeting.
Other matters brought to the Ministers’ attention were the Additions to Reserve (ATR) Policy, and Child and Family Services engagement and related issues. Timely follow-up and persistence will keep these matters in the forefront and ensure they are addressed by the Ministers.
Blood Tribe Chief and Council
Blood Tribe/Kainaiwa
