Alberta First Nations leaders celebrate referendum outcome as decisive win for Treaty rights

First Nations leaders in Alberta are hailing the results of a provincial referendum as a significant victory for the protection of Indigenous rights and Treaties. Following the vote on Monday, 20 October 2026, Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi described a “big sigh of relief” as Albertans voted against pursuing separation from Canada. According to Elections Alberta, approximately 76 per cent of voters chose to remain in Canada, a result Mercredi said settles a debate that was a “waste of time” and resources. Throughout the campaign, Treaty 8 Sovereign Nations—representing 24 nations in northern Alberta—actively challenged the separatist movement. The organization supported legal challenges through the Court of King’s Bench, which identified errors in how the provincial government handled the process without proper consultation. Grand Chief Mercredi noted that while separatist sentiments may persist, the focus must now shift to repairing the working relationship between the provincial government and First Nations. Political activist Cara Currie Hall, who advised Treaty chiefs on voter mobilization, said the threat to Treaty rights “awakened the sleeping giant” of the Indigenous electorate. She credited the firm stance of the chiefs and the mobilization of voters for the outcome. NDP MLA Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse also praised the commitment of Indigenous women and leaders who worked to defeat the referendum while upholding Treaty obligations. National leaders have also weighed in on the result's significance. AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak reiterated that Treaty Nations maintain sovereign relationships with the Crown that no province can alter. She invited Premier Danielle Smith to attend upcoming meetings in Ottawa, including a National Day of Ceremony scheduled for Sunday, 25 October. Former AFN National Chief Matthew Coon Come added that the historic moment should serve as a catalyst for Canada to honour its constitutional obligations and strengthen Crown-Indigenous relationships.