Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations applauds Court’s decision on separation question

^{Court of King’s Bench Justice Colin Feasby says “Numbered Treaties are legally binding”}

December 5, 2025 (Treaty No. 6 Territory) — The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations applauds the decision made in the Alberta Citizen Initiative Act court case to deem any referendum seeking to establish Alberta as a sovereign country as unconstitutional.

Court of King’s Bench Justice Colin Feasby’s decision affirms an Alberta separatism referendum would violate Treaty Rights, Section 35 of the Constitution Act,1982 and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This successful intervention in the courts by Treaty No. 6, No. 7 and No. 8 First Nations is a victory for Treaty Rights and the inherent rights of all First Nations.

In his decision, Court of King’s Bench Justice Colin Feasby writes that “Treaties 6, 7, and 8 … are part of the Canadian constitution, made the creation of Alberta possible, remain part of the legal foundation for the complex society that now exists in Alberta, and govern the ongoing relationship between Canada, Alberta, and First Nations. The Numbered Treaties are legally binding on First Nations, Canada, and Alberta.”

We will never be silent when Treaty is threatened. We celebrate the courts ruling in our favour once again, and welcome this affirmation of the legal primacy of Treaty and the Crown-Indigenous relationship here on Treaty Lands.

*Please note: The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations will not be doing media interviews at this time.

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Media Contact:

Jill McKenzie

pipikwan pêhtâkwanDirector of Strategy and Media Relations

jill@pipikwanphetakwan.com