Over 150 Tribal Leaders Unite at the Flathead Reservation to Tackle Cross-Border Mining Pollution

On September 17, 2026, at the Flathead Reservation in Montana, Indigenous and governmental representatives gathered for the fifth annual Transboundary Mining Conference. Their focus: addressing persistent mining contamination threatening waterways along the U.S.-Canada border and seeking accountability for its long-term effects.

The conference brought together over 150 leaders from Alaska to Canada, including Gary Aitken Jr., vice chairman of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, and Rich Janssen, head of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Natural Resources Department. Discussions centered on selenium pollution from the Selenium Coal Mine in Fernie, British Columbia, and its impact on shared waters, notably the lower Flathead River, where CSKT holds 90 percent ownership and has secured the largest water rights settlement in history. Participants highlighted contrasting water quality standards between Canada and Montana as a contributing factor and emphasized restoration efforts that have helped revive bull trout and westslope cutthroat populations.

While no specific follow-up actions were announced, the conference underscored the urgency of holding mining operations accountable for enduring environmental damage.

Montana’s deep connection to its waterways and tribal stewardship may influence regional responses to transboundary mining threats. Given the state’s reliance on river ecosystems for cultural and economic vitality, Montana stakeholders could see this conference as a pivotal moment to advocate for stricter water quality controls and sustained restoration initiatives.

CSKT helps host 150+ leaders tackling mining contamination threatening U.S.-Canada waterways
By Robyn Wayne, KPAX News