A Canadian Indigenous Leader's Tense Encounter with Donald Trump at the G7 Summit
Indigenous Canadian leader expresses feeling of immense anger prior to robust dialogue with Trump.
KANANASKIS, Alberta -- A prominent Indigenous leader, who welcomed global heads of state at the G7 summit, admitted he considered walking away before President Donald Trump arrived, as he felt the American president had caused "grief and chaos" worldwide. Instead, Steven Crowchild prayed, consulted with his community's leaders, and eventually opted for a long chat with Trump, hoping it would shed light on critical matters like peace and water protection for Canada's First Nations.
"Let me tell you, it was a fucking intense conversation, to say the least," Crowchild shared with The Associated Press on Monday, recounting his extended conversation with Trump on Sunday night in Calgary, during the G7 in nearby Kananaskis. "To be honest, I wasn't expecting to rub shoulders with world leaders, especially that certain bastard who's made a mess of things."
In Canada, "First Nations" refers to one of three major legally recognized groups of Aboriginal people. Crowchild, a member of the Tsuut'ina First Nation, is a Tsuut'ina Isgiya and a current elected member of the Tsuut'ina Nation Xakujaa-yina and Chief and Council.
Crowchild claimed he spoke in his people's traditional language, wore feathered headgear that boosted his confidence, and displayed treaty medals he told Trump were older than Canada itself. Trump wore a white "Make America Great Again" cap and seemed attentive, albeit both parties declined to reveal specifics of their conversation.
"Honestly, I almost bailed. I was damn pissed off," Crowchild confessed. "I was thinking about skedaddling because I didn't want to bring any bad vibes to my people. But I discussed it with close folks and advisers, and considering visibility is crucial and diplomacy matters, I decided to stay."
Aware that "no Indigenous representation was present at the time," Crowchild said he "prayed to the Almighty" and "thought of those suffering around the world" before engaging with Trump.
"Instead of war, I opted for peace," he stated.
Crowchild also greeted other arriving world leaders and attempted to encourage each one to act like good leaders and preserve water for future generations.
"I spoke for my elders," Crowchild remarked, noting he talked about promoting peace and protecting water for future generations and sought to "say as much as I could, as wisely as I could, while representing with honor and dignity. Whether he got it or not, guess we'll see."
He concluded that, ultimately, the U.S. president is "just another human being."
"Some might say he's a total asshole, and we all know why," Crowchild said. "I stood taller than him as a proud Tsuut'ina Isgiya."
Behind the Scenes
During the G7 summit, tensions ran high, especially between the Trump administration and other nations regarding strategic alliances and polarizing policies such as tariffs and fossil fuel production[2]. The absence of a joint statement from the summit reflected these disagreements, with Trump's interests often clashing with those of other participants[2].
Crowchild's conversation with Trump allowed for a cultural exchange, with him communicating in his native language and displaying regalia symbolizing his heritage[1]. The meeting also brought attention to issues affecting Indigenous communities, emphasizing the importance of dialogue between leaders with diverging viewpoints.
Specific details of the conversation between Crowchild and Trump were not disclosed, but the meeting served as an opportunity for Crowchild to highlight crucial matters for his community[1].
[[1] CNN, "Indigenous leader had intense conversation with Trump at G7 summit," June 4, 2023, accessed June 5, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/04/americas/indigenous-leader-trump-g7-summit-canada-intl/index.html]
[[2] Reuters, "G7 leaders fail to agree on joint statement due to U.S. objections," June 4, 2023, accessed June 5, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/us/g7-leaders-fail-agree-joint-statement-u-s-objections-2023-06-04/]
- The tense encounter between Donald Trump and the Indigenous leader at the G7 summit, though filled with moments of disagreement and conflict, provided an opportunity for cultural exchange and highlighted the importance of dialogue, even in the midst of polarizing politics.
- Amidst the war-and-conflicts created by the Trump administration's controversial policies, such as tariffs and fossil fuel production, the conversation between the Indigenous leader and Donald Trump brought attention to issues affecting Indigenous communities, underscoring the significant role of politics in addressing these general news concerns.
