What First Nations leaders have said

Treaty and First Nations leadership in Alberta have been among the strongest public opponents of the province's separation referendum push. This page records their own words — from open letters, press conferences, and institutional resolutions — with links to the original sources.

Last updated July 15, 2026.

How to read this page

Each entry is limited to what the leader or organization said in a dated public source. We do not infer positions from party politics or from what others said about them.
Where a leader has made multiple distinct statements, they may appear more than once with separate dates and sources.
For how we assess related factual claims — such as whether consultation is required, or whether chiefs threatened civil disobedience — see the linked fact checks at the bottom of each entry.

Spotted something missing or inaccurate? Please email a correction and we will review it against the source.

On the record

8 sourced public comments from 5 leaders and organizations, drawn from press conferences, open letters, and institutional releases. This is not a complete record of every statement; it lists comments we have verified against primary or reputable news sources.

Treaty area

Topic

Showing 8 of 8 comments.

Assembly of Treaty Chiefs
Representing Treaties 6, 7, and 8 · Assembly of Treaty Chiefs (Alberta)
Treaties 6, 7 & 8Institutional statement
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.
APTN News (Assembly resolution) · June 16, 2026
Related fact checks:Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP government committed treason by pushing Alberta's October 2026 separation referendum.
Sheldon Sunshine
Chief · Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
Treaty 8Opposes separation
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.
APTN News · June 16, 2026
Related fact checks:Premier Danielle Smith and the UCP government committed treason by pushing Alberta's October 2026 separation referendum.Alberta's First Nations support the independence push.
Travis Plaited Hair
Chief · Kainai Nation (Blood Tribe)
Treaty 7Blackfoot ConfederacyOpposes separation
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.
Calgary Herald (Gathering for Treaty and Unity) · June 14, 2026
Related fact checks:Alberta's First Nations support the independence push.Alberta can call an independence referendum without consulting First Nations.
Allan Adam
Chief · Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Treaty 8Opposes separation
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?
The Canadian Press · June 11, 2026
Related fact checks:The Alberta government appealed the court ruling that quashed the Stay Free Alberta separation petition.
Trevor Mercredi
Grand Chief · Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
Treaty 8Legal or direct 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.
Global News · June 4, 2026
Related fact checks:Treaty 8 chiefs have said civil disobedience may be used to stop Alberta's October separation referendum.Alberta can call an independence referendum without consulting First Nations.
Allan Adam
Chief · Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Treaty 8Opposes separation
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.
CTV News · June 4, 2026
Related fact checks:Alberta can call an independence referendum without consulting First Nations.Treaty 8 chiefs have said civil disobedience may be used to stop Alberta's October separation referendum.
Trevor Mercredi
Grand Chief · Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
Treaty 8Consultation & consent
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.
Treaty 8 First Nations (open letter) · June 3, 2026
Related fact checks:Alberta's October 2026 referendum Question 10 does not trigger a duty to consult First Nations.Alberta can call an independence referendum without consulting First Nations.Alberta's First Nations support the independence push.
Assembly of Treaty Chiefs
Representing Treaties 6, 7, and 8 · Assembly of Treaty Chiefs (Alberta)
Treaties 6, 7 & 8Institutional statement
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.
Treaty 8 First Nations (Assembly release) · February 26, 2026
Related fact checks:Treaty Chiefs from Treaties 6, 7, and 8 passed a unanimous vote of non-confidence in the UCP government over separatism.