Aboriginal Canadian leader says he is “full of anger” before his “heavy” conversation with Trump
Kananaskis, Alberta (AP) – Canadian Indigenous leaders greeted the world leader who called the Summit of Seven said he was “full of anger” and considered leaving before Donald Trump arrived – saying the U.S. president “caused a lot of pain and pain in the world”.
Instead, Steven Crowchild prayed, consulted with his people’s leaders and eventually chose to stay on the apron for a long conversation with Trump, hoping he would focus more on promoting peace, protecting clean water and other issues of Canada’s First Nation.
“It’s really intense to say the least. “Crouched told the Associated Press on Monday, recalling his long encounter with Trump in Calgary on Sunday night at the G7 near Kananaski. “When I woke up on Father's Day, I didn't expect that I would see the world leader and someone caused pain and pain in the world. ”
In Canada, Aboriginal people refer to one of three main recognized Aboriginal groups. Crowchild of Tsuut'ina First Nation is Tsuut'ina Isgiya and is an incumbent elected member of Tsuut'ina Nation Xakujaa-Yina, as well as the Chief and Council.
Crowchild said he spoke in the traditional language of his people, wearing a feathered headdress, which made him feel strong and showed the Trump Treaty medal that he told the president that he was older than Canada. Wearing a white hat of “making America great again”, Trump seemed to listen in detail – although both sides refused to say exactly what the comments said.
“I barely stayed when it came to that person. I was full of anger,” Crouchard said. “I was going home because I didn't want to have any negative impact on my people. But I did consult with close people and consultants, and based on feedback, I stayed, considering that visibility is key, diplomacy is important.”
Crowchild realized that “there was no Aboriginal representative at the time,” he said, “and prayed to my creator” and “really thought of the sufferings around the world” and chose to speak to Trump.
“I chose peace over war,” he said.
Crowchild said that besides Trump, he greeted other world leaders who arrived and “try to remind them that each of them is trying to be a good leader and protect our water for future generations.”
“I spoke to my elders,” Croucher said, noting that he spoke about promoting peace and “protecting water for future generations” and trying to “do my best, do my best, and represent with honor and dignity.
Ultimately, he said, the U.S. president is “another person.”
“Some people would say he's a terrible person, and we all know many reasons,” Croucher said. “I'm taller than him, like the proud Tsuut'ina Isgiya.”
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Weissert reported on Banff, Canada.
