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Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
First Nations unity displayed at rally against separatism at Legislature
(ANNews) – Hundreds of people attended a rally that First Nations leaders from across Alberta organized at the Legislature in Edmonton to protest the premier's ongoing separatist threats, which every speaker agreed would run roughshod over Treaty rights. The May 15 event opened with drumming and a grand entry while Elders burned sacred herbs for smudging, followed by remarks from leaders representing Treaty 6, 7 and 8. The protest was a way for Treaty First Nations in Alberta to present a united front in the face of Bill 54, which lowers the threshold for bringing forward a referendum. Premier Danielle Smith has said that she will hold a referendum on independence in 2026 if a petition in support of one gets enough signatures. 'Let us stand loud and clear and concise that no provincial government can hold a referendum to overturn our treaty,' Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais told attendees. 'We do not answer to the provincial government.' Desjarlais, who is also the elected chief of Frog Lake First Nation, said he 'took many arrows and many bullets, many from my own people' for meeting with Premier Smith about Bill 54, which he said was part of the confederacy's 'diplomatic' and 'patient' approach to the separatist threat. The meeting resulted in Justice Minister Mickey Amery amending the bill to say that no separation referendum question can threaten First Nations Treaty rights, which First Nations leaders dismissed as meaningless. 'Let me be clear, this push for Alberta separation is not just dangerous, it's a violation of Treaty, natural law and the land itself,' said Desjarlais. Treaties 6, 7 and 8 were signed in 1876, 1877 and 1899, respectively, all before Alberta was established as a province in 1905. Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi commented that the day's display of unity 'is what we've needed for a long time.' 'When our nations and our Treaty are threatened, we need to come together,' he added. 'There's no separation between the chiefs and the councils and our people. We are all Treaty people when it comes to our Treaty. Each and every meeting that we are attending is to protect our children.' Grand Chief Mercredi emphasized that this includes non-Indigenous people as well. 'If you're in Alberta, in Canada, you are recognized as [part of the] Treaty,' he said. Representing Treaty 7 was Tsuut'ina Minor Chief Regena Crowchild, who spoke on behalf of Chief Roy Whitney. 'Any attempt to undermine or infringe on our Treaty rights will be met with unwavering resistance,' said Crowchild, who emphasized that she hasn't had any discussion 'whatsoever' with the premier on Bill 54. 'Defending our Treaty rights has always been a priority for me, and there are numerous examples of Tsuut'ina taking a strong stand against both federal and provincial actions that threaten those rights.' Saddle Lake Cree Nation Chief Jason Whiskeyjack said it's important to take the message 'that we are stronger together' to the Legislature. 'We have to celebrate who we are as a people, and when we do that the people are going to hear, not only here in this building but every Albertan in this Treaty 6, 7 and 8 territory. They need to be reminded that this is Treaty land. Everywhere they go is Treaty land,' he said. 'There's a lot of people wanting to separate. That's fine. They could just leave.' Chief Wilfred Hooka-Nooza of Dene Tha' First Nation in Treaty 8 said that attendees were gathered 'not as protesters, but as guardians of a promise older than the province of Alberta itself.' 'Our Treaties are not relics. They are not documents to be shelved and forgotten,' Chief Hooka-Nooza added. 'They are living, breathing commitments. They are a promise of coexistence, mutual respect and shared responsibility to this land we call home.' In addition to band leaders, Indigenous NDP MLAs Brooks Arcand-Paul of Alexander First Nation and Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse of Michel First Nation were at the event, as was independent MLA Scott Sinclair, who is non-status First Nation. Also in attendance were Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi and several other NDP MLAs, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, and former deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk, as well as Alberta Federation of Labour president Gil McGowan and secretary treasurer Cori Longo.
Global News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
First Nations in Alberta, Saskatchewan vow to oppose any efforts to separate Alberta from Canada
A growing number of First Nations leaders are voicing their concerns over calls for Alberta to separate from Canada — calls that have grown louder following the recent federal election. On Friday, following on the heels of several other First Nations who have expressed opposition to the idea, the Chiefs of four Calgary-area First Nations also issued a statement saying that 'any efforts to separate will be met with our full opposition.' While the Chiefs express some sympathy with the 'deep frustration echoing across Alberta and much of the Prairies,' saying as leaders 'we too often feel unheard,' they also insist that 'First Nations will not separate.' The Chiefs said that large swaths of Alberta are governed by 'sacred treaties' between First Nations and the 'Imperial Crown,' including treaties 6, 7 and 8, and those areas 'are held in trust by the Crown for the benefit of the Treaty First Nations, not as property of the provincial government.' Story continues below advertisement The statement adds that those treaties also predate Alberta's entry into Confederation in 1905. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The statement is endorsed by Chief Roy Whitney of the Tsuut'ina Nation, Chief Darcy Dixon of the Bearspaw Nation, Chief Aaron Young of the Chiniki Nation and Chief Clifford Poucette of the Goodstoney Nation. View image in full screen First Nations' Chiefs say that treaties that cover a large swath of Alberta pre-date the province's entry into Confederation and they are vowing that any efforts at Alberta separation 'will be met with their full opposition.' Global News Late Thursday, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, which represents 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, also issued a statement expressing its 'serious concern over Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's recent actions to facilitate a potential referendum on Alberta's future in Canada.' 'We are the first peoples of these lands and waters,' said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. 'Those that want to leave are free to do so but all the lands, waters, and resources are First Nations.' 'Any process of separation that fails to honour the true spirit and intent of our treaties would violate both constitutional and international law,' added Chief Cameron. Story continues below advertisement Following Monday's federal election, Smith's United Conservative Party government proposed legislation that would make it easier for citizens of Alberta to call for a vote to secede from Canada. Smith responded to claims she is stoking the fires of separation by saying she supports a sovereign Alberta within a united Canada. — with files from The Canadian Press
