Chief Samuel Crowfoot of Siksika Nation joined leaders from the Blackfoot Confederacy, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation today to speak in unified opposition to the Alberta separation petition. If successful, the petition would trigger a referendum on Alberta’s independence. Siksika Nation, along with other First Nations, has launched legal action against the petition and the province’s Bill 14.
In December 2025, the Alberta government passed Bill 14: Justice Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, which amends the Citizens’ Initiative Act to remove the requirement for petitions to comply with the Constitution Act, 1982. This change could allow referendums that challenge Treaty rights. Siksika Nation strongly opposes this legislation, calling it an erosion of constitutional protections and an infringement on First Nations rights.
Chief Crowfoot stated:
“We remind everyone that all statutory decision-makers are bound by the Constitution, including the protection of Aboriginal rights under section 35(1). The duty to consult and accommodate applies to all statutory decision-makers empowered to make decisions that may affect Aboriginal rights, and arises when the Crown knows, or ought to know, of potential impacts.
We were not consulted on this issue. Our rights are threatened today. Siksika Nation rejects any attempt to illegitimately transfer or surrender Blackfoot Territory or any action that affects our rights without consultation and without consent. We adamantly oppose all Alberta secession initiatives. Despite clear warnings from First Nations, Alberta’s passage of Bill 14 signals a willingness to support unconstitutional land transfers that disregard Treaty obligations and the honour of the Crown.
The courts have affirmed that secession initiatives constitute a derogation of Treaty rights. Treaties are binding agreements not subject to provincial authority or public opinion.
Siksika Nation calls on the Alberta Government to:
- Publicly reaffirm the binding nature of Treaties
- Acknowledge its lack of authority to alter Treaties
- Engage directly with Treaty Nations
- Repeal Bill 14 as it applies to the Citizens’ Initiative Act
- Seek an injunction to pause related petitions
Standing in solidarity with other First Nations, Siksika Nation will consider all measures of redress to protect Treaty and Aboriginal rights. Treaties remain the living foundation of peaceful and respectful coexistence — and it is because of our sacred Treaties that Alberta exists today.
As long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the water flows. Alberta has an affirmative duty to uphold the Treaty relationship — not circumvent or ignore it for convenience. Kyun.”
