An activist and advocate for Native Americans and tribal issues is calling on Canadian First Nations to take action against opioid producers.

Through his firm Carlyle Consulting, Montana Blackfoot member Tom Rodgers is planning a class action lawsuit against opioid producers in the United States on behalf of Native Americans — hoping First Nations in Canada will also get on board.

In 1994, Tom Rodgers founded Carlyle Consulting in Alexandria, Virginia.

The U.S. company is a governmental, media and public relations firm that advocates on behalf of Native Americans.

Earlier this week, First Nations across Canada gathered to attend the "Opioid: Wiping the tears and healing the pain" conference at the Grey Eagle Casino and Resort on the Tsuut'ina First Nation in southern Alberta. The conference was organized by the American firm.

As part of the final conference session, delegates were invited to join a class action lawsuit against opioid producers with a no-fee charge, according to the conference website.

Carlyle Consulting is in the process of legal action against opioid producers on behalf of Native Americans in the United States.

"I want to be very precise, we are at the very first start of this process at examining our litigation and legal options against those individuals, i.e. opioid manufacturers," Rodgers said.

"Better way to describe it, we are exploring and we are in the first steps … in regard to seeking accountability and justice."

I am truly coming home to the birthplace of my ancestors, to help them heal. - Tom Rodgers

The purpose of the conference is to raise awareness of the opioid crisis and craft a strategy going forward to raise awareness nationwide.

And "to discuss healing, preventative measures and treatment measures," Rodgers added.

"The next step is to hear First Nations testimonials … then craft a regional and national strategy, assembling a coalition."

Rodgers said he has roots on the southern Piikani Nation.

"I am truly coming home to the birthplace of my ancestors, to help them heal."

Siksika Nation Member Bren Littlelight worked with the American firm to help organize and promote the conference.

She spent the last couple months promoting the gathering across Canada to get everyone onboard to talk about the opioid crisis that's happening in First Nation communities.

"The consulting firm came up with a resolution calling out Justin Trudeau … and the government of Canada to do a class action lawsuit because of what's happening to our people," she said.

"They asked us to come board with them and they would do the lawsuit for us and [Rodgers] kept stressing over and over there will be no money given to them until they were in this class action suit."

No class action in Canada just yet

Some of those in attendance had concerns.

"One lady stood up and said, 'I understand you're giving us this document for us to come onboard, we have no background information, we don't know which bands you're working with in the States. We don't know what you're doing here. There's nothing here,'" Littlelight said.

"I would like us to do our own consulting, our own way and do our own class action suit on this side [Canada]."

The American firm started the legal process for Native Americans and wanted to advocate for First Nation people of Canada as well.

Littlelight said one chief in attendance at the event suggested any plans for a lawsuit would need to be taken to leadership before proceeding.

Former Alberta Regional Chief Jason Goodstriker attended the conference.

He said First Nation leaders and members did not immediately jump onboard with the suit but agreed on a draft resolution — moving forward with a task force.

The task force will be a volunteer group that includes conference participants and First Nation leaders.

They will begin with conference calls at first, in hope of leading toward a national gathering in the fall.

But, Goodstriker said the idea of a class action lawsuit is "not far away."

The two day conference wrapped up Tuesday.