Indigenous sovereignty in Alberta is dedicated to advocating for the rights of Indigenous, Metis and our allies on Treaty Land. We oppose the push for Alberta Independence under the guise of 'Alberta Republicans' and stand against the UCP's agenda. Our intentions are to show our stance and solidarity with Treaty 6, 7, 8, 10 as well as the Metis. We will use our voices for those unheard on Indigenous Treaty Lands.
Alberta is largely covered by Treaties 6, 7, 8 and part of 10. Treaties are protected, section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, recognizes and affirms Aboriginal and treaty rights. This means these rights cannot be extinguished or ignored by the government.
The government has a duty to consult with Indigenous groups when its actions might impact their treaty rights. This consultation must be meaningful and aim to accommodate Indigenous concerns. If the government fails to fulfill its treaty obligations or infringes on treaty rights, Indigenous groups can pursue legal action. Courts can order remedies such as reversing decisions, imposing compensation, or requiring the government to fulfill its obligations.
Pro-separation talks ignore the treaties, ignore Indigenous peoples and go against the constitution. Treaty land refers to the specific geographic areas identified in treaties between the Crown and Indigenous peoples, outlining the rights and obligations of both parties. There are 70 treaties signed between 1701-1923 and 27 more treaties in recent years.
These agreements, both historic and modern, define how land is shared, and often include provisions for resource use, fishing, hunting, rights to self govern, health care, and other benefits for Indigenous communities. These agreements are between the Crown and over 600,000 First Nations people.
There are 45 First Nations in Alberta. They are organized into 8 main cultural/language groups: Blackfoot, Cree, Chipewyan, Dene, Nakoda (Stoney), Anishinabe (Ojibway), Dunne-za (Beaver), and Tsuut'ina (Dene). Many First Nations are affiliated with historic treaties, including Treaty 6, 7, and 8. Alberta is home to the largest Métis population in Canada, with over 114,000 people.
First Nations: 145,640 people
Métis: 127,475 people
Inuit: 2,950 people
Other/Multiple Identities: 4,785 people reported more than one Indigenous identity, and 3,620 had an Indigenous identity not included elsewhere.
Indigenous communities in Alberta have a long history of self-governance, with their inherent right recognized and affirmed in the Constitution Act, 1982. Self-government agreements aim to restore and exercise rights and powers that were previously held by Indigenous communities before European contact. Self-government can cover areas like education, language, culture, policing, healthcare, social services, and more. The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has governed the Métis since 1928.
Alberta has the only recognized Métis land base in Canada, with eight Métis Settlements.
In Alberta, Treaties 6, 7, and 8 cover a vast area of land, encompassing approximately 172 million acres. Treaty 10 covers 543,631,83.9 acres (approximately 220,000 square kilometers) in northern Saskatchewan and Alberta. Alberta encompasses roughly 164 million acres (660,000 square kilometers). Alberta land is treaty land. Reserves are meant to be land set aside for the exclusive use of First Nations and may or may not be within a treaty geographical boundary. Indigenous settlements cover 1.25 million acres and are primarily located in northern Alberta. Combining the reserve land and settlement land, Indigenous peoples in Alberta hold rights and title to approximately 3.39 million acres. Aboriginal title to land is not a gift from the Crown or the government. It's an inherent right that stems from Indigenous peoples' long-standing occupation and connection to their traditional territories.
About Us
Indigenous sovereignty of Alberta is committed to opposing the rhetoric of Danielle Smith's Separatism/Independence ideology and right wing movements in Central Alberta. We stand in solidarity with Indigenous Treaty Lands and refuse to both leave Canada as well as refuse to ever be a 51st state. Our mission is to ensure that the voices of the Indigenous, Metis, and allies are heard and respected.
Goals
Our goal is to be a voice for the indigenous communities and our allies, we are holding peaceful demonstrations, communicating with political leaders and being present in the community to get our point across: this is indigenous land, the treaties cannot be ignored and our voices will be herd. we have set up multiple demonstrations, joined with other organizations and have more planned for the future.
social media
On our Facebook page you can find real time information, discussions, planning as well as as community who shares your ideals and values. Find us on Facebook and join the discussions at ; 'Indigenous sovereignty in Alberta' our Instagram page is dedicated to sharing information, updates and events that will keep you up to date: indigenous.sovereignty
for more information contact us through our social pages, email or the contact section on the website indigenoussovereigntyinalberta@gmaill.com
Get Involved
Getting involved is easy! if you are an individual or organization that feels strongly in our cause or have views that align when it comes to preservationist ideas by the UCP and RoA you are welcome at any and all gatherings, rally's and demonstrations. We encourage you to join our Facebook page for regular updates and discussions and use your voice to oppose the pro-superstition 51st state ideologies. We are always looking for volunteers to help us plan, to share flyers around town and get more people involved.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW)
In Canada, homicide rates among Indigenous women and girls were SIX times higher than non-Indigenous women between 2009 and 2021. The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada identified several systemic factors contributing to the crisis, including unresolved inter-generational trauma, social and economic marginalization, racism, and the legacy of colonialism.
May 5th is recognized as Red Dress Day, a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. This day is dedicated to remembering the victims and advocating for change. Executive Order 13898, also known as Operation Lady Justice, was created to address the concerns of Indigenous communities regarding missing and murdered Indigenous peoples.
Indigenous women make up 16% of all female homicide victims, and 11% of missing women, yet Indigenous people make up only 4.3% of the population of Canada. Additionally 56% of Indigenous women have suffered physical assault, and 46% have experienced sexual assault. The Canadian government does not know how many Indigenous women are missing or have been murdered. Estimates suggest that around 4,000 Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been murdered between 1956 and 2016, these numbers aren't an exact number because the problem is so wide spread.
The reality is there may be many women and girls who were never reported missing or who's bodies haven't been found so they are uncounted for in the reports for those missing and murdered. Additionally many authorities both in policing and government show little concern, documents are not kept up to date and many documents for report's may not get filed due to racial profiling and lack of care towards victims families when reports are made. In recent years between 2009 and 2021, 490 Indigenous women and girls were the victims of homicide although the number is expected to be higher as many missing Indigenous women have never been found dead or alive to confirm any possible causes of death.
The families and friends of the victims stand together wanting change, protection and the government to step up when addressing the concerns of violence against Indigenous women. They want to find their loved ones and get answers for their disappearances and murders. The systematic failure to protect Indigenous communities and to report on it is truly disturbing.
News 1
In Solidarity with Treaty 6, 7, 8, 10 and the Metis, Darrin Thompson co-founder and CFO of "Alberta Accountability Alliance" made an agreement with "Indigenous sovereignty in Alberta" to maintain and keep proper accounts of all fundraising transactions for the duration of the contract. The full post and updates can be found on our Facebook page. Items can be purchased at abpoli.ca
News 2
We are asking anyone who is attending Canada (Kanada) day activities to discuss with others attending the events the history of Canada, what celebrating it means, the treaties and colonization as well as the negative impact it continues to have. We created flyers so everyone can print off to share this information.
News 3
Our beautiful land
''Indigenous Sovereignty in Alberta'' latest project focuses on amplifying the voices of those being unheard on Indigenous Treaty Lands. Our aim is to demonstrate unity, resolve, and opposition to any move that threatens the rights and lands of Indigenous, Metis, and our allies.
Advocating for Indigenous Rights through emails to local news outlets and local politicians is important. Join our Facebook page for full lists of emails to these sources to share your voice, concerns and issues with the pro-separation and 51st state movements..
Treaty flags
Treaty flags are raised to acknowledge and honor treaties made between Indigenous peoples and the Crown, flags are raised at government buildings like city halls and legislative buildings, as well as at educational institutions. There are also Treaty Flag Days while not formally established as a province-wide holiday various communities and organizations recognize and celebrate Treaty days. These agreements cover a wide range of topics, including land rights, resource sharing, and the continuation of Indigenous ways of life. In Alberta there are 4 treaties that cover the land, 6, 7, 8 and part of 10.
Treaty 6 was signed 23 and 28 August and 9 September 1876 at Fort Carlton, Fort Pitt. Treaty 6 included terms that had not been incorporated into Treaties 1 to 5, including a medicine chest at the house of the Indian agent on the reserve, protection from famine and pestilence, more agricultural implements, and on-reserve education. The Treaty 6 flag is a symbol representing the agreement between First Nations and the British Crown in 1876, covering a large area in what is now Canada, including parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan. The flag incorporates elements like the sun, grass, water, shaking hands, and a buried hatchet, all carrying symbolic meaning related to continuity, friendship, and the treaty's intent. Treaty 6 was a significant agreement made with various First Nations, including Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota, and Dene peoples.
Treaty 7 was signed September 22 and December 4, 1877 at Blackfoot Crossing, Fort Macleod. The treaty established a delimited area of land for the tribes (a reserve), promised annual payments, provisions, or both, from the Crown to the tribes and promised continued hunting and trapping rights. The flag represents the five Treaty 7 nations: Stoney Nakoda, Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, and Tsuut'ina. It incorporates elements like the sky, mountains, tipis, buffalo, eagle, otter, beaver, and crossed pipes, each with specific symbolic meanings. It features a blue sky, brown mountains (including Chief Mountain), five tipis representing the tribes, and symbols for the Blood, Piikani, and Tsuut'ina nations.
Treaty 8 was June 21, 1899 Just south of present-day Grouard, Alberta. The treaty included provisions that allowed First Nations to continue hunting, fishing, and trapping The treaty provided for the establishment of reserve lands for the First Nations. First Nations were to receive annual payments (annuities) and other benefits, such as agricultural implements and livestock. The treaty also included provisions for education for First Nations children. The Treaty 8 flag represents the First Nations who signed Treaty 8 in 1899, encompassing a large area of northwestern Canada. The treaty covers parts of northeastern British Columbia, northwestern Alberta, and the Northwest Territories.The flag is a symbol of the treaty relationship and is flown to honor the Indigenous Nations.The flag shows a dream catcher, 5 feathers and two people shaking hands representing the agreement of the treaty.
Treaty 10 was signed starting 19 August 1906 and finsihed in 1907. Treaty 10 was signed after Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces in 1905, and after populations in the region began to demand compensation for their land. It was agreed that Canada would provide reserves, annuities, clothing and medals, articles for cultivation, education, and the rights to hunt, fish and trap like other treaties that were signed previously. The Treaty 10 flag of Canada is a relatively new flag, designed to represent the treaty signed in 1906-1907 between the Canadian Crown and several First Nations in northern Saskatchewan and Alberta. There are seven eagle feathers on the flag, representing the seven First Nations that signed Treaty 10. The syllabics on the flag spell out "ostêsimâwasinahikan", The canoe and paddle are included to represent the traditional mode of transportation used by the people of the north, The medicine wheel is a sacred hoop, with each direction representing an aspect of northern life.
As Canadians celebrate Canada Day, it's important recognize that for many, this day serves as a time of mourning and reflection. We honor those who no longer with us, those who fought for their land and freedom, and those who were forcibly removed from their homes and families, languages, and cultures that are now long gone as communities were destroyed. The reality is that we cannot celebrate Canada and refuse to acknowledge the atrocities faced by Indigenous peoples since the arrival of settlers. From diseases and conflicts to the dark legacy of residential schools.
Residential schools were created all across Canada and over the course of 160 years 150,000 children were taken away to be taught English, Catholicism and that their culture and families were evil savages. Many children were abused, murdered and died of disease alone away from their families and those that did survive had many struggles to overcome, they lost so much, their cultures, language, families and a huge part of their identity.
The 60s scoop was a series of legal polices which saw 20,000 (or more) children taken away from their families and culture to be placed with foster families many of whom were white. While we may believe the scoop is over many indigenous families lose custody of their children to this day because they are indigenous, currently 53.8% of children under 15 years old in foster care are indigenous despite making up only 7.7% of the child population. This means indigenous children are 14 TIMES more likely to be put in foster care.
There are political leaders such as former PM Trudeau who spent nearly $100 MILLION during his first years in power suing indigenous peoples. Many political leaders have sued residential school survivors since 2013, the money spent on these legal cases while saying they are here for reconciliation shows the active dismissal of those who have suffered. The loss of land throughout history and even now as pro-separation talks ignore treaties, loss of sacred landmarks and graves that hold spiritual and important connections, ongoing injustices with CPS targeting indigenous and metis families, the survivors of residential schools and the 60s scoop are still here still fighting these injustices.
The history of Canada is complex and painful. Celebrating Canada Day and ignoring the loss of entire communities, their cultures, spiritual beliefs and languages shouldn't be the norm. The government continues to ignore the treaties, the injustices, actively sues the indigenous peoples and hides important information on the dark history and mass extermination of entire peoples. We encourage everyone who is celebrating Canada day to do some reflections on the history and current mistreatment of the indigenous Peoples.