The 2026 Decolonizing Land and Water Summit

Postponement of 2026 Summit

Member Notice

Through careful deliberation and consideration, the 2026 Decolonizing Land and Water Summit is being postponed and will no longer be held September 16 & 17, 2026.

Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is committed to hosting the event in the Spring of 2027.

Scheduling conflicts have reduced the availability of key Indigenous leaders to attend this year’s Summit. Additionally, key files are advancing quickly in Treaty 8; these emerging issues require our full capacity and attention.

ACFN’s Dene Lands and Resource Management manages and consults on activities that may potentially impact our homeland and territory. We contribute to how applications are reviewed, advise on how government policies impact us, and research how our downstream communities are affected by industry.

Ultimately, we advocate for the sustainability of ACFN members and our Nation as a whole by upholding our Treaty and Aboriginal Rights, educating and holding industry and governments accountable to our expectations and the rights they stand on.

The decision to postpone the Summit did not come lightly; our Nation prides ourselves on being trailblazers and we are proud of the feedback we’ve received over the year about the Summit. We look forward to welcoming you with just as much passion and collaboration as we had planned for this year.

We are committed to ensuring your contributions to our Summit do not go unnoticed. If you have questions and concerns regarding your contributions, presentation, or involvement in the 2026 Summit, please contact Callie at callie.davies-flett@acfn.com.

Honouring our Connection to the Land and Water

For thousands of years, the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) has practiced traditional ways of life—hunting, trapping, fishing and gathering—on the lands and waters of the Peace-Athabasca Delta. The signing of Treaty 8 in 1899 at Fort Chipewyan affirmed our inherent connection to the land, recognizing our cultural rights and identity. Today, as the K’ai Tailé Dené (People of the Land of the Willow), we continue to uphold our inherent and Treaty Rights, ensuring the protection of our lands and waters for future generations.

Dené Law is at the heart of ACFN’s stewardship. Rooted in the teachings, traditions and values of our ancestors, Dené Law has guided us for thousands of years. Our land and water are gifts from the Creator, and we have a sacred responsibility to protect them.