By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Shootin’ the Breeze Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton is voicing firm opposition to recent moves by the Alberta government that critics say are advancing a separatist agenda, warning that any steps toward separation must respect treaty rights and cannot proceed without First Nations\u2019 consent. In a statement issued May 1, Knowlton emphasized that treaties 6, 7 and 8 predate the formation of Alberta and remain legally binding. \u201cThose are treaties with the Crown, and Alberta lacks the authority to interfere with or negate those treaties,\u201d he said. \u201cProceeding down a path towards separation cannot be undertaken without the consent of Alberta\u2019s First Nations.\u201d Knowlton added that Indigenous communities will \u201caggressively protect\u201d their treaty and inherent rights. \u201cWe will require that the Crown\u2019s obligations… <\/p>\n
By Somya Lohia, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Shootin’ the Breeze Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton is voicing firm opposition to recent moves by the Alberta government that critics say are advancing a separatist agenda, warning that any steps toward separation must respect treaty rights and cannot proceed without First Nations\u2019 consent. In a statement issued May 1, Knowlton emphasized that treaties 6, 7 and 8 predate the formation of Alberta and remain legally binding. \u201cThose are treaties with the Crown, and Alberta lacks the authority to interfere with or negate those treaties,\u201d he said. \u201cProceeding down a path towards separation cannot be undertaken without the consent of Alberta\u2019s First Nations.\u201d Knowlton added that Indigenous communities will \u201caggressively protect\u201d their treaty and inherent rights. \u201cWe will require that the Crown\u2019s obligations... <\/p>\n