First Nation group falsely claims it can block Alberta independence petition

An Alberta First Nations group is making a legally misleading claim that it can block the province’s separation petition.

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An Alberta First Nations group is making a legally misleading claim that it can block the province’s separation petition.

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation issued a press release on January 2, saying that it has filed a Statement of Claim in the Alberta Court of King’s Bench “against Alberta, Canada, and the Chief Electoral Officer for failing to diligently implement the Treaty and for breaching the Treaty.”

The group added that it would file an injunction on Monday seeking to stop the petition.

“No separation of Alberta from Canada can occur without First Nation consent. This is Treaty land. This is the law,” the group falsely claimed.

The Alberta Prosperity Project began its 120-day signature drive for an independence petition on Saturday.

True North previously revealed that legal experts said Indigenous communities would have no legal power to veto an Alberta independence referendum, even if treaties remain intact.

Canadian Constitution Foundation legal counsel Josh Dehaas told True North that while Alberta cannot unilaterally secede from Canada, “First Nations do not possess veto power over a referendum or subsequent negotiations.”

“There is nothing I’m aware of that would suggest that First Nations people could prevent those discussions from taking place,” said Dehaas. “Even where treaties exist within Canada, the law is clear: that it is the Crown [that] is sovereign and holds underlying title to all of the land.”

Constitutional lawyer Keith Wilson echoed the CCF’s view, stating that while First Nations would be full participants in any post-referendum negotiations, they lack the legal authority to block Alberta’s decision to hold a vote. His comments followed public opposition from an Alberta Treaty Chief, who symbolically threw Bill 54 in the air.

“Respectfully, the Chiefs would benefit from legal advice,” Wilson posted to X. “They don’t have a veto on whether Alberta separates.”

Wilson noted that if separation occurs, Indigenous communities could choose whether to maintain their current treaty arrangements with Ottawa, transition to new treaties with a sovereign Alberta, or negotiate an entirely new framework.

Any eligible voter would be able to vote in an independence referendum, with no person or group receiving special treatment. Upon a successful vote, the province of Alberta, First Nations from Alberta, the other provinces and the federal government are legally required to engage in good-faith negotiations to establish terms.

Therefore, the First Nations would be able to remain with Canada and maintain the status quo, request that the new independent Alberta take them under existing treaties, or negotiate new treaties with Alberta. The First Nations would make this decision individually.

The Alberta Prosperity Project also criticized Global Edmonton for a misleading and incorrect post to X, where it claimed that “Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation blocks Alberta separatist petition in court.”

“This headline implies that the petition – sponsored by the Alberta Prosperity Project to trigger a referendum on Alberta independence – has been successfully halted by a court ruling. However, this is not accurate,” said the group.

The APP clarified that the accompanying article in the post disproved the X headline.

“This kind of sensational wording misleads the public and fuels unnecessary fear about the democratic process underway in Alberta. The petition is active, signatures are being collected, and Albertans have the right to express their will through a fair referendum,” said the APP. “The Alberta Prosperity Project encourages all Albertans to seek facts over fear. Misinformation like this cannot stop our democratic efforts.”

Global’s post to X saw various legal experts dispute the false headline as well.

“Lying to the older generation that still listens to you is a sad, and ultimately short-lived, business proposition. The end for legacy media is near and it cannot happen soon enough,” said Lawyer Eva Chipiuk.

“Liars. Your own article proved your headline is false. You will have no place in the free nation of Alberta,” said another user.

The Alberta Prosperity Project also replied directly to the post on X.

“Fake news headline. No petition is blocked.”

The signature collection runs from Jan. 3 to May 2, 2026, and requires 177,732 valid signatures to be successful. No court has issued an injunction or ruling to halt the petition, and Elections Alberta has not suspended the collection of signatures.