Calgary, Alberta – It was a moment in which symbolism weighed heavier than any diplomatic protocol. When Steven Crowchild, a respected tribal leader of the Tsuut’ina Nation in Alberta, Canada, accompanied the arrival of world leaders at this year’s G7 summit on the tarmac in Calgary on Sunday, he faced a decision that went far beyond polite formalities: Should he stay at all when Donald Trump, the President of the United States, stepped off the plane? "I was filled with rage," Crowchild said. "I seriously considered leaving. This man has brought so much pain and suffering into the world." But he stayed – not out of approval, but out of responsibility. "Visibility is key. Diplomacy is important. And at that moment, there was no Indigenous representation present – so I stayed."
Steven Crowchild belongs to the Tsuut’ina Nation, a sovereign tribe of the Dene peoples in the southern Canadian province of Alberta. The Tsuut’ina are descendants of the Athabaskan language family, live west of Calgary, and have maintained a deep connection to their ancestral land for centuries. Despite colonial violence, forced relocations, and systematic marginalization, they continue to preserve their language, rituals, and political autonomy to this day. Crowchild is one of their most prominent representatives, known for his calm yet firm approach to advocating visibility in public moments.
When Crowchild confronted Trump, he wore an elaborately crafted feathered headdress and spoke in his traditional language. He showed the U.S. President tribal medals which – as he emphasized – "are older than the nation of Canada itself." Trump, assuming the pose of a media-savvy appearance, wore a white cap with the slogan "Make America Great Again." "It was intense, to say the least," Crowchild said. But his message was clear: those who see themselves as representatives of Indigenous peoples must not remain silent in moments of confrontation – not even before a man who is regarded globally as a symbol of authoritarian politics.
The encounter lasted several minutes, and according to observers, Trump appeared irritated but not dismissive. What exactly was discussed remains confidential. But the fact that Crowchild stayed spoke for itself. In a moment when diplomacy is often understood as a polite handshake between unequal powers, the Tsuut’ina leader sent a message – one of dignity, visibility, and for those whose voices are so often struck from the record.
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