Grand chief defends treaty rights, demands Alberta call off referendum question on separation – CBC
Jun 04, 2026
Treaty 8 chiefs send open letter to Alberta premier demanding she back off separatism question
A First Nations chief wants Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to call off this fall’s referendum question on separation in the absence of formal consultation with Indigenous groups.
Trevor Mercredi, the grand chief of the Treaty 8 First Nations, said Smith’s comments shirking the province of its duty to consult have placed Alberta “on a course towards direct constitutional conflict” with Treaty 8 nations.
At a news conference on Thursday, Mercredi did not rule out civil disobedience if the province continues to ignore court rulings that uphold treaty rights and goes ahead with the question during the Oct. 19 referendum.
