An Alberta tribal leader is urging the provincial government to show more respect after the Indigenous relations minister was absent from a significant event commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Treaty 6 signing. Joey Pete, the grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, expressed disappointment in Premier Danielle Smith’s administration for not sending a representative to the event, stating that it speaks volumes.
The event, held at Edmonton City Hall and hosted by Mayor Andrew Knack, featured Indigenous dignitaries engaging in rituals while government officials delivered speeches. Among the attendees were Alberta Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani and federal Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, Eleanor Olszewski, who both addressed the audience.
Pete emphasized his concerns about the upcoming Alberta separation referendum and pipeline construction discussions, emphasizing the need for dialogue with the province. Meanwhile, Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney’s office responded by assuring its commitment to maintaining strong relationships, despite the minister’s absence.
According to a statement from the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, invitations were extended to all levels of government, including Minister Sawhney, for the event. However, they were informed that the minister was unavailable due to prior commitments. The city hall event marked the start of a series of activities in Edmonton to honor the anniversary, culminating in a re-enactment of the treaty signing. Additional events are scheduled for the weekend at Fort Carlton in Saskatchewan, the historic site of the treaty signing.