Response to Premier Danielle Smith’s Separation Comments and Actions

May 1, 2025 (Treaty No. 6 Territory) — The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations firmly reject Premier Danielle Smith’s recent comments and actions regarding the prospect of Alberta’s separation from Canada.

Premier Smith’s promotion of the idea of a referendum on separation is not only reckless—it is a direct violation of the Treaty relationship that exists between our Nations and the Crown. Our Treaties are internationally binding solemn covenants and cannot be broken by any province or political party.

Let us be absolutely clear: our Nations do not and will never consent to the separation of our Treaty territories. These lands were never ceded nor surrendered.

Premier Smith must immediately abandon this dangerous rhetoric and recognize that Treaty obligations are not optional. They are binding commitments that cannot be dismissed or overridden by separatist ambition.

In the Spirit of Treaty,

Grand Chief Greg Desjarlais

Media Contact: Jill McKenzie

pipikwan pêhtâkwan

jill@pipikwanpehtakwan.com