The 2023 Forum theme was “Indigenous Leadership in Honoring & Caring for the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem”, and was held in-person over four days from March 14-17, 2023. The Forum was hosted by the Blackfeet (Aamskappi Piikunni) Nation and held at the Stick Game Arbor in Browning, Montana. Over 170 registrants, including 50 students, from various government, non-government organizations and the local Blackfeet community attended a variety of presentations, panel discussions, and field trips.

The 2023 Forum was the best attended, with the most diverse presentations and panels by Indigenous elders, youth, researchers, managers and technicians, since the inception of the annual CMP Forum in 2001. Attendees travelled from across the geographic extent of the Crown and beyond.

Thank you to the fantastic planning team, speakers, moderators, caterers, and attendees - this forum was made successful and meaningful by each and every one of you!


Read the Summary

Check out the major takeaways from the forum and possible next steps!


March 14th: Biocultural

Siksikaitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy)
Niitsitapi-led Network for Blackfoot Guardianship of Rocky-Mountain East Slopes,
Kimmy Houle - Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council, Paulette Fox – Harmony Walkers Inc.

Crown of the Continent: A Self Reflection 2023, Dr. Leroy Little Bear

March 16th: Terrestrial

The Restoration of the Bison Range to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes, Stephanie Gillin & Whisper Camel-Means, CSKT Natural Resources Department

Nature Undivided, Katie Deuel, Center for Large Landscape Conservation

Naapi’s Garden & Katoyiss Seed Bank, William Singer III, Kainai Nation

Sowing History, Growing Culture, Planting Language: CSKT’s Whitebark Bio Cultural Restoration, ShiNaasha Pete, CSKT

March 17th: Taking Care of the Land and People Together

Planning Leads

Christen Falcon, Independent Consultant

Elliot Fox, Independent consultant

Planning team

Kim Pearson, Parks Canada

Natalie Poremba, Crown Managers Partnership

Cassie Powell, US Fish & Wildlife Service Native American Liaison

Ryan Powell, US Forest Service Heritage Program Manager

Erin Sexton, Flathead Lake Biological Station

Connie Simmons, Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative

Jessy Stevenson, The Wilderness Society

Chad Willms, Government of Alberta

Anne Carlson, The Wilderness Society

Amy Coffman, USFWS Native American Liaison

Katie Deuel, Center For Large Landscape Conservation

Aaron Domes, Government of Alberta

Mike Durglo, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes

Termaine Edmo, Blackfeet Nation Climate Change Coordinator

Tyrel Fenner, Blackfeet Nation Hydrologist

Carleigh Grier-Stewart, Parks Canada - Knowledge Weaver

Linh Hoang, US Forest Service