First Nations communities across Treaty 6 territory are commemorating the 150th anniversary of the 1876 agreement with the Crown this month. However, the focus on the upcoming Alberta independence referendum is overshadowing the celebrations for some.
The fall referendum in Alberta includes a critical question regarding whether the province should remain part of Canada or initiate the process for a binding referendum on separation. This question is causing concern among many First Nations individuals who fear it may jeopardize their treaty rights and other entitlements.
Grand Chief Joey Pete of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations, representing Alberta’s nations, expressed the need to mobilize First Nations to participate in the voting process. He emphasized that the treaty is not specific to Alberta and that the province acts as a representative of the Crown under the agreement.
The treaty guarantees various rights to First Nations, such as health, education, and the right to hunt and sustain themselves off the land, rights that remain valid today. Janice Makokis, an assistant professor at the University of Windsor and a member of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, highlighted Canada’s legal obligation to act in the best interests of First Nations.
The debate over the referendum has led to legal battles between First Nations and the province, with allegations that the consultation process was inadequate and that the referendum question poses a threat to treaty rights. Despite a judge overturning the approval of the petition, the province is appealing the decision, arguing for the democratic right to proceed with the referendum.
The Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations organized a series of events leading up to the treaty’s August 23 anniversary. Grand Chief Pete expressed disappointment over the absence of representatives from Alberta’s UCP government at the celebrations, suggesting a lack of commitment to reconciliation.
Treaty 6, signed in 1876 at Fort Carlton, spans central Alberta and Saskatchewan, with additional First Nations in Manitoba later joining the agreement. Dwayne Donald, a professor at the University of Alberta, emphasized the significance of the treaty in Alberta’s history and stressed the importance of viewing it as a living covenant.
Amid discussions on Alberta’s potential separation from Canada, assurances have been made by separatist groups regarding the protection of First Nations’ rights under an independent Alberta. However, concerns persist about the implications for treaty rights and the unity of First Nations communities.
The historical and spiritual significance of the treaties and the enduring relationship between First Nations and the Crown underscore the complexity of the current debate surrounding Alberta’s potential independence. The need to uphold treaty obligations and protect Indigenous rights remains a central issue as the referendum looms over Treaty 6 celebrations.