Blood Tribe opposed to new coal mines in Crowsnest Pass

By Alexandra Noad - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 12, 2025.

Alexandra Noad
LETHBRIDGE HERALD
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Blood Tribe Chief and Council have announced they have taken a stance against any new coal mines in the Crowsnest Pass region.
In a community update letter Chief and Council say both the ending of the 1976 Coal Policy and the Dec. 20 announcement of the Alberta Coal Industry Modernization Initiative were done without proper consultation with Kainai or other First Nations.
The letter added that the announcement of the removal of the moratorium on coal development, which was introduced in 2022, means that coal exploration in the Crowsnest Pass Region would no longer be suspended.
The province says it plans on consulting with the coal companies to develop new regulations that would be developed to help protect of water ways from contamination by the end of 2025. The new regulations would not apply to Grassy Mountain Coal Mine.
According to the letter, the Blood Tribe believes the Alberta government is refusing to consult First Nations on the initiative.
The letter states that Chief Travis Plaited Hair wrote to Premier Smith on Jan. 28 to communicate the Blood Tribe’s position.
The letter to the premier stated:
“Kainai’s Chief and Council have a duty to protect our Nation’s Treaty Rights, lands and waters, and Blackfoot way of life. We wish to be very clear that Kainai opposes and new coal development in the Eastern Slopes of the Blackfoot Treaty Region and we will take all steps necessary against new coal mines, particularly in light of Alberta’s complete disregard for our Treaty rights.”
The community letter said that Chief and Council are in the process of reviewing Kainai’s options and strategy with their legal counsel and potential coordination with other Blackfoot Nations in opposition to new coal developments.
It also let them know the community members would be informed of any updates regarding the coal mine issue.

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