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Toronto Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Alberta has something to learn from some unexpected opponents to provincial separatism
If there's one piece of advice I find myself giving more and more these days, it's that progress is not linear — it's spiralic. In each generation, we find ourselves revisiting issues we thought were long-ago resolved. The lesson to draw from this is not that things are hopeless and we can never 'win.' Instead, we should draw strength from our cyclical struggles — we aren't in this alone, and it's not all on our shoulders. We step into a long interconnected chain of those who came before, and those who will come after, all of us working for a better world. It can be useful to revisit similar moments of struggle to put current events into context. The United Conservative Party's sly flirtation with fringe separatist factions within Alberta is not rooted in the same historical, cultural, and political conditions of Québec — but Indigenous resistance to these movements has in fact remained stable and consistent. Take these two quotes, nearly 30 years and thousands of kilometres apart. 'Our Treaties are sacred covenants and are to last forever. Alberta did not exist when our ancestors agreed to share the land with the Crown. The province has no authority to supersede or interfere with our Treaties, even indirectly by passing the buck to a 'citizen' referendum.' Chief Sheldon Sunshine, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation & Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro, Mikisew Cree First Nation, 2025. 'A unilateral declaration of independence by the government of Québec would undemocratically change or terminate our relationship with the government, Parliament, and people of Canada. [It] would attack our fundamental right as a people to determine our own political future; it would constitute fundamental breach and repudiation of the terms of the James Bay and Northern Agreement of 1975; and it would be in violation of fundamental principles of democracy, consent and human rights.' Matthew Coon Come, former Grand Chief of the Crees of Eeyou Istchee, 1996. Let me take you back to 1995. Québec had just a few months previously elected the Parti Québécois, whose mandate was to hold a referendum on independence during its first year in office. This was the culmination of centuries of sustained effort that began to peak during the Quiet Revolution in the 1960s before coming to a head in 1980 with Québec's first unsuccessful referendum on the matter. True to their promise, October 30th saw Québeckers turn out in historic numbers to vote. The rest of Canada held its collective breath. But just a week before and unbeknownst to most Canadians, an equally momentous mobilization played out in the vast northern portion of the province as the Cree nation held a referendum of its own. At no point during any of the political organizing around separation, were the opinions sought, or rights considered, of the eleven Indigenous nations that have Québec's borders scrawled across their territories. A reckless move when just 20 years before, Québec's massive James Bay hydro project was ground to a halt by the determination of a relatively small population of Indigenous people. That mobilization resulted in the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement, considered Canada's first modern treaty. Encompassing 1,061,900 square kilometres of land — 68.8 per cent of the entire province — the agreement was made between the federal and provincial governments, and the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi nations. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW But how to reach the Cree citizens? October is the middle of the hunting season in Eeyou Istchee — Cree territory in northern Québec. From September until spring, the communities emptied out, and families trekked across land to spots unconnected by any road or telephone service. The conditions were less than ideal to launch a response to Québec's bid to pull itself out of Confederation. John Henry Wapachee and Robbie Dick knew they had to pull out all the stops. They chartered three helicopters to visit more than 100 bush camps to reach families on the land and spread the word. Other Cree travelled hundreds of kilometres through wintery conditions back to their fly-in communities, to gather at polling stations, schools and meeting halls. Cree living outside Eeyou Istchee made their way to stations set up in Montréal, Val d'Or, Ottawa, North Bay, and Senneterre. The question posed? 'Do you consent, as a people, that the Government of Quebec separate the James Bay Crees and Cree traditional territory from Canada in the event of a Yes vote in the Quebec referendum?' The answer was 96.3 per cent against. Eeyou Istchee would not be following Québec if it managed to become independent and good luck to whomever had to redraw that map. This Cree referendum made international news at the time, though in my research I haven't come across much evidence that the Parti Québécois acknowledged the outcome or that it swayed the final vote — and it very well may have had no impact on the vote itself. Nonetheless, Cree opposition to secession would have severely impacted the ability of Québec to follow through with independence had they been successful. The Cree weren't the only ones to speak out. Farther north in Nunavik, Inuit held a separate referendum, voting 96 per cent against Quebec separation. A Parliamentary research paper published in 1996 found that provincially, 95 per cent of Indigenous people who participated in the Québec referendum voted no. Chiefs in Québec and the Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Ovide Mercredi were also very vocal in their resistance to 'the forcible inclusion of aboriginal people in a new, independent state, arguing that it would be contrary to international law.' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Nor has sentiment shifted. In 2014, the Parti Québécois once again sought a mandate to bring a third sovereignty referendum forward. Grand Chief Michael Delisle of Kahnawake responded plainly: 'We'd never be part of Quebec or cede out of Canada because we don't believe we are Canadians to begin with. Our ties are to the land.' Just two weeks ago in front of the Legislature in Edmonton, Treaty First Nations in Alberta voiced similar sentiments. Those who gathered were united in opposition to talks of separation, which Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais characterized as a 'violation of Treaty, natural law and the land itself.' Those few Albertan separatists who flat-out ignore Indigenous treaty rights seem to think that Indigenous nations are their natural allies — after all, don't we all chafe under the oppression of the federal government? The answer is provincial governments have a host of wrongs to answer for. I would remind Albertans that Alberta's Sterilization Act was in effect from 1928 to 1972 and specifically targeted Indigenous women. any of the institutions that have been repeatedly found by Canadian inquiries, inquests, reports and commissions to be motivated by systemic racism against Indigenous Peoples are provincial — not federal. But that's not even the point. Most disturbing to me is the recent resurgence of harmful stereotypes about Indigenous Peoples in public discourse as a method of ignoring treaty rights. Racist and dehumanizing comments once more flood social media claiming Indigenous people are freeloaders who contribute nothing, pay no taxes, get everything for free, or were flat out conquered and thus can have no rights worth discussing. I've spent the last ten years writing against these stereotypes and trying to debunk myths, only to see the same tired narratives being operationalized to justify a new wave of colonial land theft. Our communities are exhausted trying to assert Indigenous humanity — and if our dehumanization is necessary to this separatist movement, then let's bring that into the light and be honest about it. The real issue, the one that First Nations and Métis within the province have been very clear in articulating, is what it has always been: our lands are not yours to take. Alberta is covered by five treaties: 4, 6, 7, 8, and 10 (though treaties 4 and 10 have no First Nations communities within this province's borders). Portions of Alberta are also within the Métis Nation's Homelands. It isn't some sort of loyalty to Parliament that holds Indigenous nations to these constitutionally recognized agreements — but as Chief Delisle put it nearly a decade ago, Indigenous Peoples are tied to the land. Alberta does not have the ability nor the right to alter that relationship through secession — the only right Alberta has to its existence at all is because of that relationship. If Albertans are serious about working together with Indigenous Peoples to improve the treaty relationship, it cannot happen under the threat of separation. Whatever political points the UCP hopes to gain by encouraging a doomed movement, even as it issues statements denying involvement, the damage being done to relationality in this province cannot be worth it. Albertans need to reaffirm their commitment to being treaty peoples by educating themselves and shutting down this kind of foolishness. In the end, no matter what happens, the answer from Indigenous Nations to separation on terms other than our own? It remains a resounding 'no.'
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Alberta government amends referendum bill in effort to placate First Nations' concern
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Minister of Justice Mickey Amery announce proposed changes to several pieces of democratic process legislation, in Edmonton on Tuesday April 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson EDMONTON — Alberta's government has made 11th-hour changes to controversial proposed legislation, declaring that no separation referendum question could threaten First Nations' existing treaty rights. Premier Danielle Smith's government is working to considerably lower the threshold to allow for citizen-initiated referendums, including whether the province should separate from Canada. Her government's proposed bill has yet to become law, but it's faced backlash from Indigenous leaders since its introduction in the house more than two weeks ago. Justice Minister Mickey Amery said Wednesday the United Conservative Party government has heard concerns from First Nations on how such a referendum might affect treaty rights. 'We are listening,' he said. Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine and Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro were quick to release a statement saying the amendment 'means nothing,' and the proposed bill still needs to be shredded. 'We have heard from many treaty people; we are united in our resistance. None of us will back down,' they said, noting a protest is planned Thursday at the legislature grounds in Edmonton. 'Now that your government has thrown these legislative grenades, in the matter of two weeks, you will take five months off while the rest of us work hard,' they wrote. Opposition NDP Indigenous relations critic Brooks Arcand-Paul said during debate in the house, the government's amendment does nothing more than commit the province to what it is already legally obligated to do. He said the UCP is merely paying lip service to Indigenous people. 'It is reprehensible,' Arcand-Paul said. 'This government fails abhorrently when it comes to consultation. I look forward to the legal challenges that come,' Arcand-Paul told the assembly. Earlier Wednesday, NDP Deputy Leader Rakhi Pancholi told reporters that adding a line to the bill wouldn't legally be enough to respect the rights to consultation that Indigenous peoples have in the province. 'Fundamentally, any conversation about separatism, any conversation about Alberta -- unilaterally or through a referendum process -- removing itself from Canada, means we are already violating our treaty rights,' she said. Premier Smith has said she doesn't support separating her province from Canada, but Albertans have genuine grievances with the federal government, and she wants concessions from Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney. She has argued that Alberta, particularly its oil and gas industry, has been undermined for a decade by anti-business policies and laws from the federal Liberals. While Smith has said she's working to gain respect for Alberta within a united Canada, she doesn't want to see the Alberta separatist movement grow into a large, mainstream political party. In a Tuesday letter to First Nations chiefs representing the Blackfoot Confederacy, Treaty 8 First Nations, Treaty 6 First Nations, and Treaty 7 First Nations, Premier Smith appealed for their help in directly lobbying Ottawa for a 'fair share' of federal funding for Alberta. She offered Wednesday's amendment to her government's legislation as a gesture of goodwill. Smith said federal funding represents an injustice to First Nations in Alberta, and cited the 'treasured relationship' between First Nations and the province to argue for taking a united case to Ottawa. 'I hope we can walk this path together for everyone we represent,' wrote Smith. A second amendment from the government passed Wednesday addresses one of several major concerns aired last week by chief electoral officer Gordon McClure. McClure has said some of the bill's changes would effectively kill the election commissioner's ability to investigate and enforce compliance with election law, including by limiting investigations into financial contribution rules and limits to one year instead of three. Minister Amery said an amendment introduced Wednesday to the bill would lengthen that timeline to two years after alleged wrongdoing. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2025. Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press
CBC
01-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
First Nations chiefs say Alberta premier is trying to 'manufacture a national unity crisis'
Many First Nations in Alberta are denouncing Bill 54, the Election Statutes Amendment Act tabled in the provincial legislature Tuesday, saying it disregards treaty rights. If passed, it will change how referendums can be introduced in the province by lowering the signature threshold required. In a letter, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine and Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro accused Premier Danielle Smith of "attempting to manufacture a national unity crisis by enabling a referendum on separatism." "Alberta did not exist when our ancestors agreed to share the land with the Crown. The province has no authority to supersede or interfere with our treaties, even indirectly by passing the buck to a 'citizen' referendum," the letter continued. Tuccaro told CBC News the bill continues the work the province started when they introduced the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act in 2022. "If treaty rights were broken … it would allow Alberta to do anything they would see fit in regards to our traditional territories," he said. "If the treaties are broken then that leaves us as First Nations with absolutely nothing in regards to holding the British Crown responsible for their fiduciary responsibility, and that is to uphold the treaty that we signed in 1899." He described the relationship between the province and First Nations as "very tense" and said if the bill is passed, "There will be a rise up from the treaty people." In a news release, the Blackfoot Confederacy said the proposed legislation "threatens the constitutional and legal order by disregarding the Nation-to-Crown agreements that define our relationship to the state." It reminded the province their treaty "was not a land surrender," but rather "a framework for peaceful coexistence and shared use of territory." "We will aggressively protect our historic treaty rights and our inherent rights," said Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton in a statement. "We will require that the Crown's obligations to First Nations be honoured and fulfilled." 'Enabling direct democracy' At a news conference on Thursday, Smith said she respects "all of the treaty rights that are enshrined in the Constitution." She described referendums as "enabling direct democracy," and she encouraged all Albertans — including Indigenous people — to embrace it. "The purpose of a referendum is to let every single Albertan have a say on matters of important public policy," said Smith. When pushed on her personal views on Alberta separatism, the premier said she believes in "Alberta sovereignty within a united Canada." She accused the federal government of meddling in provincial issues. "When the federal government goes out of their way to interfere with our exclusive jurisdiction, we are going to meet them with every step that we can in order to preserve our ability to manage our own affairs," she said. Rethinking sovereignty One expert says some Albertans are feeling disenchanted by the political process following the federal election, with some wanting the province to break from Canada. "It's impossible for Alberta to think it can claim the land without involving Indigenous peoples," said Matthew Wildcat, director of Indigenous governance at the University of Alberta, and a member of Ermineskin Cree Nation. "We can't think about our Canadian sovereignty being broken apart unless treaties [and] Indigenous peoples are part of that reordering of sovereignty." Smith said at the news conference she doesn't want to judge the types of petitions Albertans want to put forth and that interest in separatism might not be widespread, referring to a recent Angus Reid survey that suggested one in four Albertans would vote to separate from Canada. "It seems to me that the majority of people are not in favour of that, and so I guess we'll see whether or not they're able to put together a petition, gather enough signatures and put it to the people," she said. The premier mentioned examples where Albertans had a say in important issues, including the 1997 referendum on allowing VLTs in the province.
