Treaty 6 grand chief says question disrespects the treaty
The newly proposed referendum question comes after a Court of King’s Bench judge quashed a pro-separatist referendum question from citizen-led petition group Stay Free Alberta.
The judge found that Elections Alberta shouldn’t have approved the petition, as it failed to consider an earlier court ruling that found separation would violate treaty rights. The ruling also said the provincial government, as a representative of the Crown, failed in its duty to consult with First Nations about the petition.
Joey Pete, the grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, told CBC News yesterday that Smith’s new question disrespects treaty rights and obligations and First Nations in Alberta.
There are multiple treaties covering the province of Alberta, including Treaty 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10.
“End of the day, it’s about the future, it’s about our children and making sure that they continue to be sovereign, that their rights are still here for them for tomorrow and they can’t end — ever — because of the treaty,” he said.
“That treaty is still living and breathing today.”
Pete also said he expects First Nations around the country to unite against this issue, providing support to each other.
“We got [First Nations] in every province in Canada. You know how loud that royal roar will be when the time comes? It’s gonna be loud and something that she cannot control.”