AFN chief says talks of Alberta separation ‘irresponsible,’ points to treaties
By Canadian Press on May 12, 2025.
OTTAWA — The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says talk of Alberta separatism is ‘irresponsible’ and it’s “not smart” for politicians to make statements about it without consulting with First Nations first.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has introduced a bill that would make it easier for Albertans to launch referendums on various topics — including splitting from Canada.
Smith has pointed to growing alienation in her province and frustration with Ottawa, saying those wanting to separate “are not fringe voices.”
National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak says any effort by Alberta to split the country would be “unconstitutional” and a “direct affront to the sacred treaties that predate the province itself.”
She says First Nations have never ceded their inherent rights to the land and resources, and separatism would disregard treaties and undermine the foundation of Canada.
The national chief is also calling for a federal review of natural resources transfer agreements in response to the referendum talk, saying First Nations were never consulted on those agreements with the provinces.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2025.
The Canadian Press
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First, in a democracy it is our right as Albertan’s and Canadians to have a referendum on this matter! Unlike how Indigenous communities live under a form of communism, Canada is a democratic socialist country and we do have a right to vote for changes.
It frustrates me when a group who demands sovereignty themselves and special treatment in multiple areas, including our justice system will not allow our rights to this process to move forward, even if it fails!
Let me state that it is not Premier Smith who is pushing this forward, but it is a group of Albertan’s who are law abiding, taxpayers and are tired of being abused by Ottawa!
Think . . . I say again . . . think!
If Alberta voted to separate from Canada/the Confederation it would not be able to take the Indigenous communities with it! So you wouldn’t leave Canada and your land, economic, social agreements with the federal government would still be intact! You would still receive all the benefits!
Let me make this very clear . . . I beleive and even the Premier stated would like to see our rights respected in Ottawa as a province and if that means a sovereign province within a united Canada, I support that, if it comes to that!
I am tired of hearing Indigenous tell us that we are not allowed democratic processes to move forward! Angry in fact!
I am all for fair treatment of our Indigenous, but it appears to be moving towards a reign of dominance for a group in Albertan’s who only represent 5.7% of the population!
We have rights as well and we have had to put many of those rights aside in an effort to appease the Indigenous, recognizing mistakes our ancestors made and attempting to reconcile, but it appears that every move we make, more actions arise against us, in fact it never seems to end . . . one attack after another!
I do not want to separate from Canada!
Without turning this comment into a book I will leave with this thought after your comment on ceded territory, and I acknowledge that the city of Lethbridge is built on ‘ceded’ lands!
First Nations in Alberta ceded their rights to land off-reserve in the numbered treaties, including Treaty 6, Treaty 7, and Treaty 8. These treaties, signed with the Canadian government, involved First Nations “ceding, releasing, surrendering and yielding up” all their rights, titles, and privileges to the land in exchange for set-aside lands as reserves, annuities, specific items, and the right to continue hunting, trapping, and fishing on certain lands, subject to regulations.
Are you now voiding this agreement?