First Nations across Treaty 6 territory have been commemorating the 150th anniversary of the 1876 agreement with the Crown this month. However, the upcoming referendum on Alberta independence is causing apprehension among some members of the community.
The fall referendum in Alberta includes a crucial question about the province’s future within Canada or the initiation of a process leading to a binding separation referendum. Many First Nations individuals are concerned about the potential implications for their treaty rights and privileges.
Grand Chief Joey Pete of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations expressed the intention to encourage First Nations’ participation in the voting process to safeguard their interests. Pete emphasized that the treaty’s significance extends beyond Alberta, emphasizing that it was signed to ensure coexistence with settlers rather than relinquishing land rights.
The treaty secures various rights for First Nations, including healthcare, education, and the ability to hunt and live off the land, rights that remain in effect today. Janice Makokis, an assistant professor at the University of Windsor, stressed Canada’s legal responsibility to act in the best interests of First Nations, highlighting the potential impact of Alberta’s separation on federal funding for essential services.
The separatist group Stay Free Alberta previously initiated a petition calling for Alberta’s independence, triggering legal battles with First Nations challenging the consultation process. Despite these challenges, the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations organized a series of events to mark the treaty’s anniversary.
Treaty 6, signed in 1876, covers a vast area across central Alberta and Saskatchewan, with additional First Nations in Manitoba joining later. The treaty’s historical significance in shaping Alberta’s integration into Canada underscores the importance of recognizing it as a living covenant that involves spiritual and natural elements.
Amid discussions about potential independence for Alberta, assurances have been made by separatist groups that First Nations’ rights would be respected. However, some community leaders, like Chief Vernon Watchmaker, emphasize the enduring relationship with the Crown and advocate for unity rather than division.
Dwayne Donald, a professor at the University of Alberta, highlights the overlooked history of Indigenous communities in the region, emphasizing the need to acknowledge and respect their presence and heritage in discussions about Alberta’s future.