Onion Lake Cree Nation presses ahead with legal challenge to Albertas Sovereignty Act [Video]

The Nation, which straddles the Alberta–Saskatchewan border, is among several First Nations pushing back against Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government. The Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, passed in late 2022, gives Alberta the power to ignore federal laws it deems harmful to provincial interests.

In April, Alberta introduced Bill 54, which would lower the threshold for citizen-initiated referendums, including ones that could ask whether the province should separate from Canada. The province added last-minute amendments Wednesday, stating that such questions must not threaten existing treaty rights, but Lewis said “it is nothing.”

“Premier Smith’s Sovereignty Act, combined with many of the significant changes to other laws, sends a clear signal that her government is willing to manipulate laws, intimidate First Nations and control public opinion to push the separatist agenda,” Lewis said.

In a joint statement issued by Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Chief Sheldon Sunshine and Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro right after the amendments were announced, they …