Indigenous drummers perform a song during the official start of the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. First Nations Chiefs in Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling for their provinces to toss legislation they say is inherently undemocratic, unconstitutional and will infringe on Indigenous rights. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby
OTTAWA – First Nations chiefs in Alberta and Saskatchewan are calling for their provinces to toss proposed legislation they say is inherently undemocratic, unconstitutional and infringes on Indigenous rights.
The chiefs are putting forward an emergency resolution at the Assembly of First Nations special assembly to reject sovereignty bills that are before both provincial legislatures.
Chief Tony Alexis on behalf of Treaty 6 says there has been no consultation or dialogue with First Nations around the Alberta bill.
It has been criticized for giving the premier and cabinet unchecked powers to pass laws behind close doors, although amendments to change that have recently been put forward.
Vice Chief Aly Bear of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations also says the act in Saskatchewan is unconstitutional.
It looks to unilaterally amend the Constitution to reassert the province’s jurisdiction over its natural resources.
Both chiefs say they do not want the bills amended – they want them withdrawn.
