PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 4, 2025
CALGARY, AB – The Siksika Nation filed a legal challenge against the Government of Alberta’s decision to end a moratorium on coal development in the Rocky Mountains earlier this year. Chief Ouray Crowfoot (Nioksskaistamik) explained the reason for the law suit:
“The Rockies are treasured by everyone. They’re the source of the water we all rely on, they support abundant fish and wildlife and precious natural areas. For Siksika the Rockies are an important part of our traditional territory and are home to some of the last areas that can be used for Treaty hunting, fishing and our traditional way of life.”
Siksika filed a legal challenge against Alberta’s decision to rescind the 1976 Coal Policy in May, 2020 which protects about 14,000 sq. km of the Rockies from coal development. That law suit was ended in May, 2021, when Alberta reinstated the Coal Policy and struck the Coal Policy Committee to engage with the public and consult with First Nations about coal development in the Rocky Mountains.
Siksika and other First Nations made submissions and appeared before the Coal Policy Committee whose recommendations to the Government of Alberta were supposed to inform any further decisions on coal development. Despite this, Alberta’s decision to end the moratorium on coal development earlier this year ignored the Coal Policy Committee’s recommendations.
Chief Crowfoot added: “We have tried to engage the Government of Alberta in good faith over the past several years on this issue. They made commitments to consult with First Nations in regional land use plans and other forums but they just don’t listen. Litigation was our only option at this point. Once coal mines are approved the damage will be done and it will be too late.”
Click here to read the legal challenge: Application for Judicial Review
###
CONTACT
Siksika Nation Ohkinniinaa ki Ninaaiks (Chief & Council) Communications
Email: jennifer@sinakssin.com
