The chiefs of the Stoney Nakoda First Nations have reaffirmed their opposition to Bill 54, which would lower the threshold for a separation vote and is seen as a threat to their treaty rights.
The statement was issued in response to misinformation circulating about the bill and their relationship with Premier Danielle Smith.
"The Stoney Nakoda Nations have not collaborated with Premier Smith or her office on Bill 54," the release states. "Any suggestion to the contrary is false, misleading, and deeply disrespectful to our Nations and the Treaties we are bound to uphold."
The chiefs say their opposition to the bill has been consistent from the outset. On May 2, they joined the Tsuut’ina Nation in a joint statement affirming their collective opposition to the legislation and their shared commitment to defend treaty rights.
"We must remind all Albertans and the Government of Alberta of a foundational truth in Canada’s history," they collectively state. "Large swaths of this province are governed by the sacred Treaties between First Nations and the Imperial Crown, including Treaty 7. Treaties 6, 7 and 8 established a relationship of shared land use and created obligations that remain legally binding today. Under our Treaties, vast areas of Alberta are held in trust by the Crown for the benefit of the Treaty First Nations — not as property of the provincial government. Our Treaty territories predate Alberta’s entry into Confederation in 1905.
"First Nations will not separate. Any efforts to separate will be met with our full opposition."
The leaders emphasized that treaty rights are sacred, not political tools.
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Peter Guthrie issues statement on threat of separation vote
The Alberta government made last-minute changes to the legislation on the final day of the spring sitting, declaring that no separation referendum question could threaten First Nations’ existing treaty rights.
First Nations leaders say the amendments are meaningless and that the bill must be scrapped.
"Our treaty rights are not up for negotiation with the Province of Alberta," the statement reads. "No provincial law can override our treaty rights. This legislation is a dangerous attempt to do so, and we will not stay silent."
On Thursday, hundreds of people from across Alberta rallied against the legislation on the steps of the Alberta legislature.