We Are Not Going Anywhere”: First Nations Push Back Against Alberta Separation Talk

By Alexander Luyima

As Premier Danielle Smith fans the flames of Alberta separatism with talk of a potential referendum in 2026, Indigenous leaders across the province are sounding a fierce alarm—warning that any path toward separation that excludes First Nations voices is not only unconstitutional but unthinkable.

> “We are not going anywhere,” said Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation in a recent interview. “This is treaty land. If Alberta wants to separate, they better be prepared to sit down with every nation whose land they’re walking on.”

Smith has floated the idea of Alberta becoming independent as part of her broader campaign against federal overreach and what she calls Ottawa’s “interference” in provincial affairs, particularly around energy development and environmental regulation. But Indigenous communities, whose ancestral lands make up the entire province, are saying: not so fast.

The Legal and Moral Wall

Canada is a nation built on treaties—formal agreements between the Crown and Indigenous peoples. Alberta, in its entirety, falls under various numbered treaties, primarily Treaties 6, 7, and 8. Any attempt to separate from Canada without consulting the First Nations who signed these treaties would likely trigger a major constitutional and legal battle.

> “You can’t break away from Canada without also addressing the treaties that bind you to Indigenous nations,” says University of Calgary law professor Dr. Naiomi Metallic. “The courts have been increasingly clear: Indigenous self-determination is not optional—it’s constitutional.”

This legal precedent was strengthened in 2016 when Canada officially adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which enshrines Indigenous communities’ right to self-determination, including over land and resources.

Energy Development Under Threat

Several Indigenous nations have already warned that if Alberta continues to push separation without consultation, they will consider halting all energy development and exploration on their lands. Given that a significant portion of Alberta’s oil sands infrastructure lies on or near treaty land, this is no empty threat.

> “If we shut down energy corridors on our land, Alberta’s economy crashes—period,” said Chief Billy-Joe Laboucan of the Lubicon Lake Band. “This is not just a political issue. It’s an economic earthquake waiting to happen.”

Public Opinion: Divided, But Cautious

A recent Abacus Data poll shows that only 27% of Albertans support full separation, with the majority preferring greater autonomy within the Canadian federation. Nationally, 68% of Canadians say they oppose Alberta separating, and many see the move as unrealistic and dangerous.

> “We’ve been down this road before with Quebec, and it nearly tore the country apart,” notes political commentator Chantal Hébert. “The difference now is that Indigenous voices are front and center—and they cannot be ignored.”

The Origin of the Separation Stir

The Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act—passed by the Smith government in late 2022—was the first major signal that separation talk was more than bluster. The Act allows the province to ignore federal laws it deems harmful. Critics called it a constitutional crisis in the making. Supporters framed it as standing up for Alberta.

But since then, Premier Smith has ramped up rhetoric, often blaming Ottawa for everything from inflation to energy grid instability. Some analysts believe the separation card is political posturing ahead of the 2027 provincial election. But for Indigenous communities, it’s more than politics—it’s existential.

Can Alberta Separate Without Indigenous Consent?

The short answer: likely not. Any serious attempt to break from Canada would require a constitutional process involving negotiation with multiple stakeholders, including Indigenous nations.

> “Treaties were signed with the Crown, not the province of Alberta,” explains Indigenous governance expert Dr. Hayden King. “If Alberta wants out, then First Nations have the same right to assert sovereignty—over the very land Alberta claims.”

Conclusion

Danielle Smith may have sparked a conversation around Alberta’s place in Canada, but in doing so, she’s ignited a fire among Indigenous leaders that won’t be easily extinguished. In treaty territory, sovereignty is not a one-way street—and Indigenous nations are reminding everyone they are not just stakeholders. They are rights holders.

> “If you have a problem with First Nations,” Chief Adam concluded, “you’re the one who can leave. We were here first—and we’re not going anywhere.”