Tsuu T'ina Nation officials are considering offering their land to protesters during the upcoming G-8 summit, just one day after activists were forced to cancel their "solidarity village" proposal because they had no site.
According to a spokesman with the band, the issue was to be considered at a secret meeting Thursday.
"The nation is certainly prepared to hear the proposal from solidarity village," Hal Eagle Tail told the Herald on Thursday.
"We'll be hearing them out today. Whether it goes through or not, I'm not quite sure. But we are interested in hearing what they have to say."
The band is considering offering a parcel of land on the First Nation just west of Calgary for activists and protesters to set up camp during the summit, to be held in Kananaskis Country on June 26 and 27.
The band's considerations have offered some last-minute hope to anti-summit activists, who on Wednesday were told by the city they could not use public park space for protests or camping.
The city's decision effectively quashed the plans of activists to hold a three-day "solidarity village" event involving music, entertainment, education and peaceful protests against the summit of world leaders.
The city has no power to stop activists gathering on private land.
The group had also eyed Stoney Nation land near Kananaskis. However, the band council refused to give its permission.
Calgary activist Sarah Kerr, a co-organizer of the solidarity village proposal, said her group had discussed the possibility of using Tsuu T'ina land with the band.
"An approach came from Tsuu T'ina some time ago. They have a long and convoluted decision-making process but certainly, it is a long shot," she said.
"One thing is certain. There won't be a solidarity village. If they (Tsuu T'ina) can confirm some land, then we might be able to do something there, but certainly not the big solidarity village we dreamed of."
Kerr is still disappointed with the city's handling of the issue, effectively preventing organized protest on city land, but said activists and protesters will converge on Calgary regardless of the city's decision.
She said her group is moving forward with its G-8 summit plans, which she said may involve Tsuu T'ina land if available.
"It is clear the city is not going to support this and there is no use crying about it. We just have to move ahead," she said.
"We are going to do different things. That could involve Tsuu T'ina land, it all depends. We will figure out what we can do."
Kerr said organizers of any events are opting to keep their plans quiet, following the quashing of previous proposals, including an initial plan to build a village on Stoney Nation land.
"We're pretty hesitant to discuss this because all of a sudden they don't exist anymore," she said of possible sites.
"We do have things in the fire. As that resolves, we will let people know."
Cpl. Patrick Webb, the RCMP's G-8 spokesman, said the rumoured Tsuu T'ina offer would not alter security plans during G-8.
"It doesn't change our plans at all," he said.
"We can adjust our security to whatever is required."
Mayor Dave Bronconnier could not be reached for comment Thursday. A spokesman said he was unaware of any plans involving the Tsuu T'ina.
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