The renewed murmurings of Alberta independence have struck a nerve with Indigenous leaders across the province, who caution that such political maneuvers could undermine centuries-old treaty agreements and constitutional obligations to First Nations.
Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak didn’t mince words when addressing the latest wave of separation rhetoric coming from Alberta’s political circles. “This kind of irresponsible talk ignores the fact that these are treaty lands,” she told reporters during a press conference in Edmonton yesterday. “Treaties were signed between First Nations and the Crown, not with provincial governments that didn’t even exist at the time.”
Her comments come as provincial opinion polls show 32 percent of Albertans would consider supporting independence, up 8 points since January. The surge follows Premier Danielle Smith’s heated disputes with Ottawa over resource development approvals and carbon pricing.
Chief Darcy Bear of Treaty 6 territory emphasized that treaties aren’t merely historical documents but living agreements. “These treaties established nation-to-nation relationships that can’t simply be dissolved through provincial politics,” Bear explained. “Our people agreed to share these lands, not surrender them.”
The legal complexities run deep. Constitutional experts point out that treaties fall under federal jurisdiction, creating a significant hurdle for any separation movement. University of Alberta law professor Catherine Bell notes that “Section 35 of the Constitution Act explicitly recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal and treaty rights. A province can’t unilaterally decide these obligations no longer apply.”
In downtown Calgary, where separation sentiment runs strongest, Tsuut’ina Nation councillor Brent Dodginghorse described the unintended consequences of independence talk. “Every time this conversation resurfaces, it creates uncertainty for investment in Indigenous businesses and partnerships. It’s not just political—it affects real economic development.”
Recent Statistics Canada data shows Indigenous businesses contribute approximately $4.5 billion annually to Alberta’s economy, with growth rates exceeding provincial averages in several sectors including renewable energy and tourism.
The federal government has maintained that treaty responsibilities would continue regardless of provincial developments. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu stated, “The Crown’s obligations to First Nations are perpetual and cannot be sidestepped through constitutional adventures.”
Smith’s office released a statement acknowledging Indigenous concerns while defending the province’s autonomy push. “We respect and honor treaty relationships,” the statement read. “Our government believes strengthening Alberta’s position within Confederation benefits all Albertans, including our Indigenous communities.”
But for Treaty 7 Grand Chief Siksika Nation’s Ouray Crowfoot, such assurances fall short. “When politicians float separation ideas without consultation with Nations, it demonstrates the same dismissive approach Indigenous peoples have faced for generations,” he said during a community gathering in Morley.
The economic stakes extend beyond provincial borders. The First Nations Finance Authority, which helps Indigenous communities access capital markets, reports that uncertainty about treaty implementation could affect over $800 million in current infrastructure projects across Alberta’s First Nations.
What’s often lost in separation rhetoric is the historical context. Treaties 6, 7, and 8, which cover most of Alberta, were signed between 1876 and 1899—before Alberta became a province in 1905. These agreements guaranteed Indigenous rights to education, healthcare, and resource access in exchange for shared use of traditional territories.
For Melody Lepine, director of government and industry relations for the Mikisew Cree First Nation, the separation talk reveals a troubling pattern. “First Nations weren’t consulted when provinces were created, and now we’re being left out of conversations about potentially dismantling them,” she said. “It’s the same colonial approach with a different date stamp.”
Public opinion research from the Environics Institute suggests most Albertans haven’t considered the Indigenous dimension of separation discussions, with 73
