Treaty 6 Anniversary Raises Questions About Alberta Government’s Commitment to Reconciliation

An Alberta First Nations leader is calling for greater respect and stronger engagement from the provincial government after Alberta’s Indigenous relations minister was absent from a major Edmonton ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of Treaty 6.

Joey Pete, grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, criticized the absence Monday while speaking at an event at Edmonton City Hall commemorating the historic agreement between First Nations and the Crown.

Pete said the lack of representation from the Alberta government sent a disappointing message at a time when Indigenous communities were marking an important anniversary and reflecting on the future of treaty relationships.

He argued that meaningful reconciliation requires governments to be present, listen to First Nations leaders and recognize the obligations created by the treaty relationship.

The ceremony was hosted by the City of Edmonton and Mayor Andrew Knack and included Indigenous leaders and elders, traditional ceremonies, drumming, dancing and the raising of the Treaty 6 flag.

Knack also issued a proclamation recognizing Treaty 6 Recognition Day in Edmonton.

Representatives from several levels of government attended the event and delivered messages focused on reconciliation and the importance of the treaty relationship.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski, Conservative MP Billy Morin, Alberta NDP Indigenous relations critic Brooks Arcand-Paul and Edmonton’s mayor were among those who spoke during the ceremony.

Alberta Lieutenant Governor Salma Lakhani also addressed the gathering and reaffirmed the Crown’s commitment to the treaty relationship.

She called for continued respect, understanding and a genuine commitment to reconciliation as communities move forward together.

The absence of Alberta Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney nevertheless became one of the central issues surrounding the event.

Sawhney’s office said the minister was away but remained committed to maintaining relationships with Treaty 6 First Nations and Indigenous leaders.

Her press secretary, Karah Folk, described the 150th anniversary as an important milestone for reflection, learning and relationship building.

The province said Sawhney would continue engaging with Treaty 6 leaders during the anniversary commemorations.

The government also emphasized that it encourages officials from across Alberta to participate in Treaty 6 events and said it recognizes the importance of the anniversary.

However, Pete said communication between the provincial government and Treaty 6 leaders has not been strong enough.

He pointed to several issues that he believes require greater attention from Alberta, including the provincial government’s plans surrounding a future referendum on separation from Canada and discussions about new pipeline projects.

Indigenous leaders have opposed the proposed October 19 referendum concerning whether Alberta should take steps toward another binding vote on separation from Canada. Legal efforts have also been made to challenge the referendum process.

For Pete, the issue goes beyond the referendum itself.

He said First Nations leaders want meaningful discussions with Alberta about reconciliation, revenue sharing and economic participation rather than conversations focused primarily on resource development and pipelines.

The concerns come as Alberta continues to debate its relationship with the federal government and questions surrounding provincial autonomy.

For Indigenous leaders, however, those discussions cannot take place separately from existing treaty obligations.

Treaty 6 covers a large portion of central Alberta and central Saskatchewan and represents a foundational relationship between First Nations and the Crown.

The first signing of Treaty 6 took place at Fort Carlton in Saskatchewan on August 23, 1876. The anniversary therefore marks 150 years since the beginning of a treaty relationship that continues to shape government responsibilities and Indigenous rights across the region.

The anniversary has provided an opportunity for First Nations communities and governments to reflect on the historical significance of the agreement while also examining unresolved issues affecting Indigenous communities today.

Pete said the province needs to make more effort to sit down with First Nations leaders and discuss these issues directly.

He argued that reconciliation cannot be achieved without regular dialogue and a willingness to address economic and political concerns affecting treaty communities.

Alberta NDP Indigenous relations critic Brooks Arcand-Paul also criticized the provincial government’s absence.

He said the ongoing debate over Alberta separation has made the treaty relationship more fragile and argued that elected officials have a responsibility to attend important events regardless of their political disagreements or personal positions.

Arcand-Paul said government representatives need to put political feelings aside and engage directly with the people they represent.

The criticism comes at a particularly sensitive time for Alberta.

The province is facing renewed political debate over separation from Canada, while Indigenous leaders have raised concerns about how such a process could affect treaty relationships and constitutional responsibilities.

For First Nations, treaties are not simply historical documents. They represent continuing relationships and commitments between Indigenous peoples and the Crown.

That perspective makes government participation in major treaty anniversaries especially significant.

The provincial government, meanwhile, maintains that it values its relationship with Treaty 6 First Nations and intends to continue working with Indigenous leaders.

Sawhney’s office said the minister remains in regular contact with Treaty 6 representatives and that the anniversary provides opportunities to strengthen relationships.

The disagreement therefore appears to centre less on whether reconciliation is important and more on whether the province is demonstrating sufficient commitment through its actions and direct engagement.

The Treaty 6 anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the week in Edmonton, with additional events planned to commemorate the agreement and educate the public about its history and continuing significance.

Further ceremonies are expected this weekend at Fort Carlton, where the first Treaty 6 signing took place in 1876.

The 150th anniversary provides a historic moment for reflection, but it is also highlighting contemporary tensions between Alberta’s government and some Indigenous leaders.

As Alberta debates its political future, resource development and its relationship with Ottawa, First Nations leaders are insisting that treaty obligations remain central to those conversations.

For Pete and other Indigenous representatives, reconciliation requires more than statements of support. They are calling for governments to be present, listen and engage on issues such as revenue sharing, economic participation, resource development and treaty rights.

The anniversary has therefore become both a celebration of history and a reminder that the treaty relationship remains a living and evolving responsibility.

Whether Alberta can turn the current disagreement into meaningful dialogue may become an important measure of its commitment to reconciliation as the province marks 150 years of Treaty 6.

Courtesy: citynews