Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 Rejects Bill C-21 as Illegal and Against Treaty

Press Release

April 24, 2026 (Treaty No. 6 Territory) — The Confederacy of Treaty No. 6

First Nations stands in unity with all First Nations in voicing our rejection of

Bill C-21, An Act to give effect to the Red River Métis Self-Government

Recognition and Implementation Treaty and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. This illegal piece of federal legislation is moving to second reading without the consent or involvement of First Nations, whose Treaty Rights are impacted directly.

This Bill will create division between Indigenous Peoples by jeopardizing the inherent Land rights of First Nations — setting a precedent for groups like the Red River Métis to claim Land already protected by Treaty. We respect and recognize the inherent right of self-governance Métis Peoples hold, but not at the expense of First Nations and Treaty. We are the Rights Holders. No legislation can create layers of new rights over our own. No legislation can create new forms of jurisdiction over Treaty Lands. Bill C-21 illegally proposes to do both of these.

Section 35 of the Charter stipulates that Canada or the Crown must consult with First Nations before taking action that will impact Treaty rights. Due to lack of consultation with First Nations, Bill C-21 is a step backwards from the

Government of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation.

The Treaty relationship is a sacred Nation to Nation bond protecting Land,

Treaty and Inherent Rights. A precedent that erodes the Rights of any

Treaty Territory sets the stage for further assaults on us all, Treaties 1-11. We know this and stand in unity with all Treaty Nations in rejecting the illegal Bill C-21. We continue to demand true consultation with First Nations on any legislation that may impact our Lands, Peoples and Treaty and Inherent

Rights.

Treaty is forever.

Grand Chief Joey Pete

Confederacy of Treaty No. 6 First Nations

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