Alberta's First Nations support the independence push.
Claimed by: Implied by some Alberta independence proposals
Updated: We revised this after Treaty 8 chiefs asked to pause the fall referendum until they are consulted.
False: False as written according to the settled evidence. How we rate.
Summary
The public record points the other way. Treaty nations in Alberta have been among the strongest opponents of the separation drive, arguing that the numbered treaties are with the Crown in right of Canada and cannot be inherited by a new state. In June 2026, Treaty 8 chiefs sent an open letter to Premier Smith demanding she call off the October referendum without formal consultation, and Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi said the province was on a course toward direct constitutional conflict. First Nations litigants challenged the independence petition in court and won rulings in 2025 and 2026 finding that secession would adversely affect treaty rights and that the province had a duty to consult it failed to meet. Presenting First Nations as backing the push misstates that opposition, though views among individuals naturally vary.
Evidence
A 2026 King's Bench ruling, brought with First Nations applicants, found a secession petition would adversely affect Treaty 7 and Treaty 8 rights and triggered a duty to consult.
A court quashed approval of the independence petition in favour of First Nations treaty rights, reflecting organized treaty-nation opposition to the separation effort.
Treaty 8 chiefs sent an open letter to Premier Smith calling for the fall separation referendum to be called off without consultation, and Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi said the province was heading toward direct constitutional conflict with Treaty 8 nations.
Related claims
- Alberta can call an independence referendum without consulting First Nations.False
- Treaty Chiefs from Treaties 6, 7, and 8 passed a unanimous vote of non-confidence in the UCP government over separatism.True
- Alberta's October 2026 referendum Question 10 does not trigger a duty to consult First Nations.Contested
- Treaty 8 chiefs have said civil disobedience may be used to stop Alberta's October separation referendum.True