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Indigenous chiefs and leaders in Saskatchewan and Alberta say “separatist rhetoric” from Alberta’s premier is harmful and divisive, especially at a time when unity within Canada has rarely been more important.
In recent days, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government proposed legislation that would make it easier for citizens to call for a vote to secede from Canada. Bill 54 proposes several changes to Alberta’s rules, including halving the threshold for a citizen-led referendum to 10 per cent of people who voted in the last election, and stretching the duration of collecting those signatures to 120 days from 90.
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A vocal set of right-wing supporters are pushing for an Alberta exit following the federal Liberals’ election win Monday. Tensions between the west and the federally-governing Liberal Party have grown in recent years, with Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in particular repeatedly butting heads with former prime minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal policy makers.
IDEA OF SEPARATISM ‘CAUSING DIVISION’
In Saskatchewan, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) executive says it has “serious concern” over Smith’s proposal. The FSIN says the concept, which could lead to a vote on separation, fundamentally ignores nation-to-nation treaties signed between First Nations and the Crown.
“As a reminder, we are the First Peoples of these lands and waters,” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said.
“Those that want to leave are free to do so but all the lands, waters, and resources are First Nations, and were negotiated in the various treaties across Turtle Island. Our treaties were and are still here long before the so-called western provinces became provinces.”
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The FSIN insists treaties signed between First Nations and the Crown are constitutionally protected international agreements that cannot be unilaterally changed by provincial governments. The organization says Smith’s rhetoric is taking away attention from building a stronger, more unified country that also respects First Nations inherent rights, treaty rights and sovereignty.
“This issue of separatism is causing division where the focus has to be on creating a pathway where the future of all must be on unity,” Cameron said.
OTHER CHIEFS ECHO CAMERON
Cameron’s position was echoed across western Canada and nationally, with First Nations chiefs warning against any talk of separatism.
“If they’re not happy living in this country, anybody who wants to separate — the premier included — they can gladly go live in any other country that they wish around the world, but they will not be taking any treaty or inherent lands away with them,” Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said.
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In Alberta, Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation and Mikisew Cree Nation Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro accused Smith of “attempting to manufacture a national unity crisis” by enabling a “fanatical cell of individuals at the exact moment when Canadians need to unite against Donald Trump’s America.”
Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton also says in a letter that it is understandable many in the West are frustrated their rejection of the federal Liberal party in the election didn’t play out elsewhere. But Alberta doesn’t have the authority to interfere with or negate treaties, he says.
Moe on Thursday said he’s a true Canadian but wouldn’t stop a public vote on separating from the country if it came forward. Residents are allowed to trigger provincial legislation for a plebiscite on the issue, Moe said.
“Why would you condemn Saskatchewan people that might have an opinion? I’m not about condemning people,” he said.
“We very much believe there is a path forward to work with the new prime minister on ensuring that Saskatchewan can have a growing, vibrant economy … within a strong and united Canada.”
— With files from Canadian Press and Postmedia Network
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