Siksika Nation angered over lack of consultation in dam decision [Video]

A southern Alberta First Nation says it will fight a government decision on a dam that it says broke promises to take its concerns into account.

“The Siksika Nation will strenuously oppose this project with all resources and means available to us,” says a Sept. 25 letter to Premier Danielle Smith from Chief Ouray Crowfoot. “The Siksika Nation is deeply disappointed by your government’s announcement.”

On Wednesday, Alberta’s United Conservative government said it had chosen a site for a dam on the Bow River to control flooding and aid water management. It said the Ghost Reservoir upstream of Calgary would be expanded.

“Increasing water storage capacity is critical to protecting Calgary and other communities along the Bow River from future floods and drought,” Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz said Wednesday in a release.

But the Siksika, the only First Nation downstream from the proposed dam, says that announcement was made without …