Treaty 8 Chiefs denounce Alberta–Ottawa pipeline agreement

Treaty 8 First Nations leaders sharply criticized the federal and Alberta governments on Thursday, saying the recently announced Canada–Alberta memorandum of understanding (MOU) on energy development.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Treaty 8 First Nations leaders sharply criticized the federal and Alberta governments on Thursday, saying the recently announced Canada–Alberta memorandum of understanding (MOU) on energy development was negotiated and unveiled without any consultation with the nations whose territories would be most directly affected.

Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi of Treaty 8 First Nations spoke at a press conference in Ottawa on Thursday morning where he said the agreement—which outlines cooperation between Ottawa and Edmonton on a potential pipeline and related major projects—represents “a direct infringement on our Treaty Rights,” citing what he called a breach of Treaty 8, Canada’s constitutional obligations and the honour of the Crown.

“As we know, the recently announced Canada–Alberta MOU and pipeline initiative were done with zero consultations,” Mercredi said.

He said Canada cannot delegate its treaty responsibilities to Alberta or industry, stressing that Treaty 8 nations “are not stakeholders” but “rights holders with sovereignty, jurisdiction and authority over lands and waters.”

Mercredi urged Ottawa to halt all actions related to the MOU until free, prior, and informed consent is obtained. He said further unilateral steps would result in Treaty 8 nations withdrawing cooperation from joint initiatives and “fully exercising our treaty, constitutional, political and legal mechanisms to defend our sovereignty.”

Chiefs appearing alongside Mercredi echoed concerns about the cumulative impacts from decades of industrial development, including abandoned wells, tailings management, and declining water levels in northern Alberta.

Chief Billy Joe Tuccaro of Mikisew Cree First Nation said he raised objections directly with Prime Minister Mark Carney last week.

“It was unacceptable that they were signing an MOU with Alberta and Canada without even engaging with the treaty nations,” said Tuccaro.

Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation acting chief Terry Villeneuve rejected proposals tied to expanded production and coastal shipping.

“We want to say to Prime Minister Carney that we say no. No to increasing production of tar sands… no to lifting the tanker ban on the West Coast, and no to the MOU within Alberta,” he said. “Our treaty is not a bargaining chip.”

Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sucker Creek First Nation said the agreement risks “fast-tracking the demise of our people,” pointing to deteriorating environmental and health conditions.

“We’re not against development,” he said. “What we want is participation and inclusion at the forefront so that we could have our concerns mitigated.”

Chiefs also raised concerns with Alberta legislation they described as hostile to Indigenous rights, including proposed changes to consultation timelines. Several warned the MOU could accelerate major projects such as carbon capture, oilsands expansions, lithium extraction, and data centres without evaluating their combined effects on water, land and wildlife.

Pressed by reporters, Mercredi said Treaty 8 nations had not been notified about the MOU during its drafting and only learned of it through public announcements. He said the Indigenous Advisory Council (IAC), on which he serves, was also not involved.

“We were not aware of the discussion. We were not aware of how they would like to move it forward,” he said, adding that the council does not meet with proponents and does not substitute for consultation with nations.

Mercredi said Treaty 8 leaders continue pushing for a direct meeting with the Prime Minister and hope to secure one in the new year. He added that while IAC discussions on terms of reference have been “moving forward in a good way,” chiefs remain concerned the government may not follow their advice.

Villeneuve said the First Nations have successfully negotiated pipeline agreements in the past, but warned this process departs sharply from established practice.

“Having pipelines and making deals is nothing new to us,” he said. “They seem to be changing the way they want to do business with us, and that’s why we’re shocked they decided to do this without consulting us.”

He said proper consultation could have resulted in a joint announcement involving First Nations, Alberta, and Canada. Instead, he said, communities learned of the initiative through media releases despite the impacts “in our backyard.”

Treaty 8 leaders reiterated they want development decisions made “before any announcements are made,” not after.

“Consultation first, and then we could move forward,” Villeneuve said. “Simple, easy. We avoid a lot of this confrontation.”

“We do push at every level to make sure communication is number one,” Mercredi said. “Our nations will not allow decisions about our lands and our future to be made without us.”