First Nations & Treaty perspectives
First Nations and Treaty leaders on Alberta separation
First Nations and Treaty leaders and organizations in Alberta have issued public statements concerning Alberta separation and the proposed referendum. This page records sourced statements from public releases, resolutions, press conferences, and other attributable sources. Each entry is limited to what the speaker or organization said in a dated public source; positions are not inferred from treaty affiliation, party politics, or geography. The collection is not intended to represent every First Nation or every perspective.
Last updated July 15, 2026
How this record works
- Statements are attributed only to dated public sources, with links to the original release or coverage.
- Positions on separation are recorded only when a source states them explicitly; they are never inferred.
- Where a leader or organization has made multiple materially different statements, each appears separately with its own date and source.
Corrections or missing source? Please email a correction.
8 sourced statements · 5 leaders and organizations · Last updated July 15, 2026
This archive lists verified public statements only. It is not intended to represent every First Nation or every perspective on Alberta separation.
Assembly of Treaty Chiefs
Representing Treaties 6, 7, and 8 · Assembly of Treaty Chiefs (Alberta) · Treaty 6 / Treaty 7 / Treaty 8
June 16, 2026 · Resolution · Treaty 6 / Treaty 7 / Treaty 8
Opposes separation
- Treaty rights
- Crown–Treaty relationship
- Referendum process
- Constitutional issues
- Legal action
On June 16, 2026, chiefs from Treaties 6, 7, and 8 unanimously passed a resolution asking the RCMP and Auditor General to investigate whether Premier Smith and UCP government members committed treason under section 46 of the Criminal Code. The resolution cited intentional treaty violations, calling a referendum despite risks to Canada's sovereignty and the treaty relationship, and inaction on the leaked voter list.
We call for this investigation on the basis of the intentional violation of the Treaties; of calling a referendum in the face of severe risks to Canada's sovereignty and the Treaty Relationship, and of failing to take action on the violation of privacy rights of millions of people.
Original source
APTN News (Assembly resolution) (opens in a new tab) · June 16, 2026 · Resolution
Sheldon Sunshine
Chief · Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation · Treaty 8
June 16, 2026 · Interview · Treaty 8
- Referendum process
- Political response
After the June 16, 2026 Assembly of Treaty Chiefs meeting in Calgary, told APTN News the UCP government had bent over backwards for the separatist movement and was trying to weaponize Forever Canadian petition signers to serve a separatist minority.
We've all seen this UCP government bend over backwards over the last couple of years for this separatist movement.
Original source
APTN News (opens in a new tab) · June 16, 2026 · Interview
Travis Plaited Hair
Chief · Kainai Nation (Blood Tribe) · Treaty 7
Collective context: Blackfoot Confederacy Chiefs Society
June 14, 2026 · Public statement · Treaty 7
- Treaty rights
- Referendum process
At the June 14, 2026 Gathering for Treaty and Unity rally in Calgary hosted by the Blackfoot Confederacy Chiefs Society, said the event was a positive exchange of information for Calgary residents facing the October referendum and emphasized collaboration between urban and reserve communities on treaty issues.
Collaboration — such as that seen through the rally — is the best way to get things done, regardless of whether someone is from a city like Calgary and Lethbridge, or the reserve.
Original source
Calgary Herald (Gathering for Treaty and Unity) (opens in a new tab) · June 14, 2026 · Public statement
Allan Adam
Chief · Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation · Treaty 8
June 11, 2026 · Interview · Treaty 8
Opposes separation
- Referendum process
- Legal action
- Political response
After the Alberta government filed its June 11, 2026 appeal of the court ruling that quashed the Stay Free Alberta independence petition, called the province's decision to appeal disappointing and questioned Smith's consistency on Canadian unity.
Hasn't Danielle Smith been running around lately saying she's Captain Canada? Now she wants to support the separatists again?
Original source
The Canadian Press (opens in a new tab) · June 11, 2026 · Interview
Trevor Mercredi
Grand Chief · Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta · Treaty 8
June 4, 2026 · Press conference · Treaty 8
Opposes separation
- Consent
- Referendum process
- Legal action
At a June 4, 2026 news conference in Edmonton with other Treaty 8 chiefs, said leaders are organizing to stop the October referendum and that civil disobedience remains a last resort if governments do not halt the process. Said First Nations have not given consent and would stop the vote by any means available, including blocking industry or going out on the highways.
We are organizing and strategizing right now — it may include civil disobedience, but that is the last resort.
Original source
Global News (opens in a new tab) · June 4, 2026 · Press conference
Allan Adam
Chief · Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation · Treaty 8
June 4, 2026 · Press conference · Treaty 8
Opposes separation
- Referendum process
- Political response
At the June 4, 2026 news conference with Treaty 8 leadership, reiterated his call for Premier Smith to resign over the separation referendum push and said Smith had not offered to meet with Treaty 8 First Nations. His nation was among the First Nations applicants that won the May 2026 court ruling quashing the separatist petition.
This premier is totally lost, gone, got no credibility left. She's swimming in muddy water, and she has no place to go.
Original source
CTV News (opens in a new tab) · June 4, 2026 · Press conference
Trevor Mercredi
Grand Chief · Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta · Treaty 8
June 3, 2026 · Open letter · Treaty 8
Opposes separation
- Treaty rights
- Consultation
- Consent
- Referendum process
- Constitutional issues
In a June 3, 2026 open letter to Premier Danielle Smith, demanded the province immediately cease any separation referendum process without full consultation, accommodation, and free, prior, and informed consent from Treaty 8 First Nations. Said Smith's position that Question 10 does not trigger consultation is not a tenable legal argument and that a referendum that could place an international border through Treaty 8 territory is one of the most profound impacts on treaty rights possible.
We state this plainly so that there can be no misunderstanding: there is no lawful path by which Alberta can pursue separation from Canada while bypassing the rights, consent, and constitutional status of Treaty 8 First Nations.
Original source
Treaty 8 First Nations (open letter) (opens in a new tab) · June 3, 2026 · Open letter
Assembly of Treaty Chiefs
Representing Treaties 6, 7, and 8 · Assembly of Treaty Chiefs (Alberta) · Treaty 6 / Treaty 7 / Treaty 8
February 26, 2026 · Resolution · Treaty 6 / Treaty 7 / Treaty 8
Opposes separation
- Crown–Treaty relationship
- Referendum process
- Political response
On February 26, 2026, chiefs from Treaties 6, 7, and 8 unanimously passed a vote of non-confidence in the UCP government, citing unsafe conditions for First Nations peoples and the government's support for the separatist agenda. The release said the UCP had acted without critical understanding of Crown and treaty responsibilities.
The UCP government has acted repeatedly with a lack of critical understanding and respect for those responsibilities, demonstrating their inability to responsibly and respectfully govern the province of Alberta.
Original source
Treaty 8 First Nations (Assembly release) (opens in a new tab) · February 26, 2026 · Resolution