There is no path to separation: Chiefs tell Alberta premier such talk is insanity

Chiefs from Treaty 6, 7 and 8 gathered in Edmonton this week for an emergency meeting where they were blunt in their criticism of Premier Danielle Smith over talk about Alberta separation. Chief Ouray Crowfoot of Siksika Nation joined the other chiefs in sending a message to the premier. “This kind of rhetoric’s not just an attack on First Nations, but it’s an attack on all the people who call Alberta home,” Crowfoot said, noting you only have to look south of the Canadian border to see the “chaos and uncertainty that’s going on in the world.” “This time, more than any time, we should be bonding together and talking about how we’re going to unite as a nation versus separation as a province,” Crowfoot said. The chiefs vowed to stand together in solidarity to protect their territories, treaties and people. The meeting came as Smith unveiled Bill 54, an amendment to Alberta’s referendum act. The bill would reduce the number of names required for a petition to be considered in order to prompt a call for a referendum. It would also allow people mounting a petition more time to gather those names-from 90 days to 120 days. Piikani chief, Troy Knowlton was equally harsh in his words to the premier. “The rhetoric and insanity of separation here in Alberta has united First Nations on this land but all across Canada from coast to coast to coast,” Knowlton said. “So, I want to thank you Danielle Smith. Why? Because today we stand united. We are not going anywhere. If you have problems with First Nations, you can leave.” Smith took questions from reporters in Edmonton on Tuesday following a press conference on Alberta’s path forward in the wake of the Liberal’s federal election win. The premier stated that she would hold a secession referendum next year if citizens gather the requisite number of signatures on a petition. Smith insisted she’s not a separatist premier and that she prefers Alberta remain part of Confederation. She was asked about a potential sovereignty referendum being mounted by chiefs in the province, something the Crees in Quebec did to thwart separation efforts in that province. “I’m not sure what their sovereignty referendum would be. I mean they already have sovereignty in a united Canada,” said Smith. “They have absolute jurisdiction over their own Treaty territories, the reserves, so I’m not quite sure what they’d be asking for.” Smith was also asked what she would do if a referendum vote was successful, as they’re binding on the province. “We’re sort of a number of steps away from having that conversation. We have put forward a suite of changes to elections law that included making a petition campaign achievable.” Smith acknowledged she doesn’t have a mandate for Alberta to separate from the rest of Canada and that a number of steps have to be taken in order for her to be able to call a referendum in 2026. She ruled out having a question ready in time to be included in the fall 2026 municipal elections. “First of all we have to proclaim it. The law has to get through the legislature-it has to be proclaimed into law. They have to change the regulations with Election Alberta. I’m not sure quite when Elections Alberta will be ready to be able oversee and launch a petition campaign,” Smith said. “Any citizen would have to have a question that is approved in advance-that takes a little bit of time. A 120 day signature collection period and then a couple of months to be able to validate the signatures.” Knowlton said Smith needs to know that there is no pathway to separation in Alberta. “You can have all the referendums you want, but there is no way. And for the province not to engage with First Nations, if you’re going to make statements like that-really shows the respect that they have for the original inhabitants of this land,” Knowlton said. Continue Reading