At a press conference near the Alberta Legislature, Onion Lake announced it is moving its litigation forward in response to the premier’s ongoing rhetoric of entertaining a separation vote.
“Onion Lake Cree Nation will not stand by and allow the premier to fuel ongoing rhetoric of Alberta separation,” said Okimaw (Chief) Lewis. “Alberta must be reminded that our Treaty relationship is paramount and our rights, which are constitutionally protected, will not be run roughshod over by a provincial government that didn’t exist when we entered into Treaty No. 6 in 1876.”
Onion Lake Cree Nation sits on the Alberta–Saskatchewan border. They are also signatory to Treaty No. 6. Having over 7,300 registered members, the Nation entered into a treaty at Fort Pitt on September 9, 1876.
“Onion Lake is prepared to defend our Treaty, our people, and our lands to ensure that our constitutionally recognized and protected rights are not trampled on by a separatist agenda. Our Treaty and the Constitution take precedence over any idea of Alberta sovereignty or separation. This divisive separatist talk further fuels and undermines the Treaty relationship we have with the Crown and the constitutional order in Canada,” explained Okimaw Lewis.