tansi ninôtemik,
On March 12, Indigenous peoples of Onihcikiskwapiwin (Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Kehewin Cree Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Beaver Lake Cree Nation, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Ermineskin Cree Nation, the Louis Bull Tribe, Samson Cree Nation, and the Montana First Nation of Treaty 6 Territory) put forward a press release challenging the federal and provincial government’s misleading claims of authority.[1]
The media release is a powerful statement reasserting the tribal peoples’ of Onihcikiskwapiwin’s sovereignty and calls on the government of Canada and Alberta to take a serious look at upholding their treaty obligations.[2] While the government has been taking note of international conflicts, the statement asserts they have forgotten about the unfinished Treaty business that remains unsolved on the table.[3]
At the root of this statement lies a significant issue: the lack of respect for Treaties and lack of honouring the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous Nations. Treaties were not created to grant rights to Indigenous peoples, they were drafted to acknowledge the ever-present existing rights held by Indigenous peoples. Therefore, it is important for the federal and provincial government, as well as us as a society, to acknowledge and recognize that Treaty agreements are a living and continued covenant, not a performative agreement that lives in the past.
As the tribal peoples of Onihcikiskwapiwin assert, it is high time for the Canadian government to finally confront the history of broken promises made to Indigenous peoples, and to engage in a true sense of partnership with Nations while holding respect and full recognition of Indigenous jurisdiction.[4]
This issue is in line with our previous post discussing the monetary settlement made by the government of Canada to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.[5] Monetary settlements must be followed with systemic reforms to ensure that they go beyond performative means of reconciliation efforts. As such, the Onihcikiskwapiwin peoples’ statement is a clear reminder that we are far from achieving meaningful reconciliation with Nations, and money can only go so far.
Treaty agreements are not covenants solely between Indigenous Nations and the colonial government; we are all beneficiaries of Treaties. Whether you are of settler origin, or have Indigenous roots to Canada, we are all partners to the Treaties representing the rights of Nations whose lands we live on. Thus, it is our responsibility to stand with Nations to demand accountability and meaningful and actionable change to be made towards honouring Indigenous sovereignty and jurisdiction.
ekosi and until next time,
The ReconciliACTION Team
Citations
[1] The Tribal Peoples of Onihcikiskwapiwin, Media Release, “Reasserting Our Sovereignty: Defending Treaty Nations and Challenging the Government of Canada and Alberta's Misleading Claims of Authority” (12 March 2025).
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] ReconciliationYEG, “$50 Million Settlement for the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation” (7 March 2025), online: <reconciliactionyeg.ca> [perma.cc/2XNN-MQLP]; Government of Canada, “Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation receives advance payment for specific claim regarding Treaty 22 and 23 land surrenders” (2 March 2025), online: <canada.ca> [perma.cc/ET86-WBV7].
[Image] The Tribal Peoples of Onihcikiskwapiwin, Media Release, “Reasserting Our Sovereignty: Defending Treaty Nations and Challenging the Government of Canada and Alberta's Misleading Claims of Authority” (12 March 2025).
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