Posted: May 2, 2025
There is no question that the results of the recent federal election have exacerbated pre-existing regional tensions in Canada. It is understandable that many people in the west are frustrated that their rejection of the Liberal Party was not mirrored in other parts of Canada.
That frustration has led to several initiatives seemingly designed to give Albertans a path to renegotiation of confederation or indeed separation. There is talk of a “what’s next” panel to discuss alternatives to the federal status quo. Premier Smith and her government introduced Bill 54, lowering the threshold for signatures required to place a separation question on a ballot. Some organizers are claiming that they are already gathering signatures at a rate that could reach that threshold.
It is at this point that First Nations in Alberta, representing Treaties 6, 7 and 8, must remind Albertans and their leaders that the aforementioned Treaties predate Alberta. Those are Treaties with the Crown, and Alberta lacks the authority to interfere with or negate those Treaties. Proceeding down a path towards separation cannot be undertaken without the consent of Alberta’s First Nations.
We are here, we will aggressively protect our historic Treaty rights and our inherent rights, and we will require that the Crown’s obligations to First Nations be honoured and fulfilled.
Chief Troy (Bossman) Knowlton
Point Contact: pncommunications@piikanination.com