Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations welcomes Court’s ruling against separatist petition

May 14, 2026 (Treaty No. 6 Territory) — The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations welcomes Alberta Court of King’s Bench Justice Shaina Leonard’s decision to quash the approval of Stay Free Alberta’s so-called “independence petition”. We continue to stand with Treaty No. 7 & No. 8 in opposition to separatists, and are grateful for the work of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Blackfoot Confederacy and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in continuing these legal battles.

This decision should put a final end to any plans for a referendum question on Alberta separation. Together, Treaties No. 6, No. 7 and No. 8 Nations already won this victory in the courts in December when the Feasby Decision declared a separation referendum was illegal. That should have been the end of it. We have been disappointed at the Government of Alberta’s ongoing lack of respect for Treaty Rights, the Canadian Constitution and the rule of law, and we are dismayed that Premier Danielle Smith has stated that an appeal of this latest decision is being considered.

The current provincial government has divided Albertans with its support for separatism. This has led to increased racism toward First Nations Peoples in communities throughout the province, widespread misinformation about Treaty and great cost to our Nations as we continue to fight to protect our Treaties in the court system. It’s time to move on from this and return to the important work of honouring relationships, not destroying them.

Treaty unites us all on these Lands. The Treaties are living agreements that remain foundational to this land and the relationship between First Nations and the Crown, including the province of Alberta. They cannot be put aside or disregarded, as the courts have confirmed once again. In this 150th year of Treaty No. 6 we need to share this understanding and work together to honour it.

Treaty is forever.

Grand Chief Joey Pete

Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations