AFN Emergency Resolution Opposes Alberta Separation

Jul 16
2 min read

First Nations are united in opposition to separatism

July 16, 2026 (Unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin Territory) — The Annual General Assembly of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has passed a landmark resolution to protect Treaty Rights from threats posed by a separatist movement in Alberta. The emergency resolution was put forward by Sunchild First Nation and Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations Grand Chief Joey Pete and Proxy Chief Matthew Coon Come, Cree Nation of Nemaska, Quebec. It states that no province has the legal authority to alter, diminish, or extinguish Treaty Rights or the constitutional relationship between First Nations and the Crown.

Alberta Chiefs from Treaty No. 6, Treaty No. 8, Blackfoot Confederacy, Treaty No. 7 and the Chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) came together on July 13th for a historic meeting marking their first formal gathering. During discussions about separatist threats to Treaty Rights, Chiefs from Quebec shared their experience responding to previous provincial separation efforts and highlighted the importance of asserting First Nations as distinct rights holders. Treaty First Nations from Alberta emphasized that any proposal to separate Alberta from Canada would directly affect First Nations’ rights, lands, territories, and future, and therefore cannot proceed.

Since taking office, Premier Danielle Smith and the current Government of Alberta have undertaken a coordinated political agenda to advance Alberta's autonomy from the Government of Canada and normalize Alberta's possible separation while failing to recognize or engage First Nations as Treaty Rights holders whose rights and interests would be fundamentally affected by such constitutional change.

The emergency resolution formally calls upon all federal and provincial governments to uphold the honour of the Crown and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples– ensuring that any constitutional or political process that may affect First Nations proceeds only through respectful government-to-government engagement with the free, prior, and informed consent of the affected First Nations.

Nations from across the country have expressed their solidarity with Treaty First Nations in Alberta in opposing this threat. First Nations rights are not negotiable and continued cooperation among First Nations will be essential in protecting Treaty Rights for future generations.

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Media Contacts:

Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations

Ranell Lagrelle

Grand Chief Liaison

gcl.2026@treatysix.org

Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksikáí'tsitapi)

Theoren Royal

theorenr@blackfootconfederacy.ca

Treaty 7 First Nations Chiefs' Association

admin@treaty7.org

Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta