Article by Mase Scarlet and photos provided by Disa Crow Chief
From February 18th to 21st 2026 Disa Crow Chief brought a goal into fruition by bringing indigenous youth across Blackfoot Confederacy to an international gathering. Rody Poor Eagle, Taylor Bottle, Alayiah Wolf Child, Samuel Tartsah, and Disa Crow Chief travelled to Manaus Brazil to attend the Student Energy Summit (SES) on behalf of the Blackfoot Confederacy and the Blackfoot Youth Water Council.
The summit was focused on bringing youth from around the globe to collaborate on solutions and share knowledge on how to tackle climate change and energy issues affecting communities. This year’s vision for the summit was centered on “amazonian connection: community roots and flourishing horizons”
Working towards attending this summit with other youth began with a phone call between Disa and Helen Watts, the present executive director at SES. They began collaborating and wrote invitations for Disa to speak on the changemakers panel to share her experiences and learn from her while also listening to other changemakers and learning from them as well.
Disa Crow Chief shared with Siksika Media ‘It has always been a goal of mine to make the opportunities that I experience accessible to my people. The experience of traveling to a new place allows us to learn about new cultures, meet new people, shift and refresh our perspectives, and it is also healing in a lot of ways. I want other young people to feel supported and invested in. I am thankful that I was able to work with my friends at Student Energy to not only attend but present at the 2026 Student Energy Summit in Manaus Brazil. The work we focus on as a group is built on the foundation of our values as Blackfoot people. They did a great job representing the Blackfoot Confederacy on an international level. They spoke and presented with kindness and strength. Young People are not the future; young people are the present. We are capable of contributing and experiencing good things today. We are allowed to learn as we go and start even if it feels impossible or too late. It was a beautiful experience learning and touring part of the Amazon forest and its people. It is always interesting and valuable to experience similarities with our people and cultures around the world. As far away as Brazil is we felt connected in the way they view their environment, their culture, their artwork and the struggles that they face. We are from different areas but connected the way natives connect when we run into each other in other places. We laughed, danced, ate new food, and exchanged knowledge with people from all over the world. I hope to continue to support not just Siksika but other Indigenous people in having access to opportunity.” She said.
Alayiah Wolf Child and Rody Poor Eagle also presented Blackfoot culture on the third day of the summit by dancing women’s jingle and traditional grass dancing as a thanks to the summit and Brazil for allowing them to be there and feel seen.
Alayiah Wolf Child went on to share “Attending the Student Energy Summit 2026 in Manaus, Brazil was an inspiring and eye-opening experience that I will cherish forever. Connecting with youth, especially Indigenous representatives, made me realize how interconnected we are in our values, responsibilities to the land, and commitment to future generations. Representing Siksika and the Blackfoot Confederacy through the Blackfoot Youth Water Council, I was able to share a piece of home by dancing Women’s Jingle, which felt especially fitting at a summit centered around sustainability. It made me feel proud to share and demonstrate this dance in the Amazonas. Attending the summit also encouraged me to continue my educational journey and to continue putting my moccasins on. The experience strengthened my confidence and left me with an important question: How can we further involve and empower youth in Siksika to take leadership roles in shaping a sustainable future?”. Rody Poor Eagle also shared with us “At the SES 2026, I explored the Amazon forest and experienced the culture of Brazil. One of the most meaningful parts of my trip was sharing my Blackfoot culture through my traditional Grass Dance and teaching others about its importance.”
Taylor Bottle shared a youth from the bloods shared “I’m so grateful for the incredible connections I made during the Student Energy Summit in Manaus, Brazil. It was inspiring to learn from different culturesand how they practice community stewardship to benefit their regions. I especially enjoyed hearing the success stories from projects that young leaders have been implementing in their communities to create positive impact and solutions.” While Samuel Tartsah a youth from Siksika shared “The trip to Brazil for the Student Energy 2026 conference was a really meaningful experience for me. It was great being able to travel with our group and represent Siksika while learning from people from all over the world who are working toward energy solutions in their communities. I enjoyed hearing different perspectives and seeing the passion that students and leaders have for creating positive change. It was inspiring and something I’m grateful to have been part of.”
A trip like this will help our youth be uplifted and motivated and gain knowledge to use for our community. Disa has attended previous Student Energy Summits that were held in Mexico and London, from special moments like a lizard terrorizing Rody and Samuel, doing face masks on the plane home, to having a gala dinner on the Amazon River, and to having a round dance with people from all walks of life in Brazil. The Blackfoot Youth Water Council will continue to inspire and uplift all those who cross paths with them.
Disa also shared “On behalf of Blackfoot Youth Water Council. Thank you to our sponsors the Siksika support Centre, The Natosapi Community College, Jamie Spring Chief, Candace Backfat and everyone who supported our draw to cover costs in our group attending SES 2026.”
