Alberta sovereigntists rallied at the Alberta Legislature on Saturday, days after the federal Liberals, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, secured another term and shortly after Premier Danielle Smith and the United Conservative Party tabled legislation to make a independence easier.Approximately 700 sovereigntists were met by about 50 indigenous counter-protesters and their allies. Speeches advocating for independence were delivered from the legislature steps, while indigenous opponents used a sound system and megaphone to broadcast counter-narratives.At one point, an indigenous elder used a megaphone to amplify sounds she described as representing rape, emphasizing opposition to sovereignty and colonialism. The counter-protest focused on historical abuses against indigenous people and resistance to the sovereigntist agenda."This is what you're doing to the heart of the nation, the indigenous women, the indigenous girls, the indigenous nations," she yelled. "You are trying to kill the heart of the nations. We are the land. We are the land. Indigenous people are the land. We will not be buried anymore. We will not be broken anymore. We will not be stomped on anymore. We will not be murdered anymore.".Joe Johnson, a sovereigntist from Wetaskiwin, Alta., told the Western Standard that indigenous counter-protesters had the right to voice their concerns at the rally."They're upset, really, for no reason," Johnson argued. "If they would just look into it and educate themselves. My wife is indigenous, and they're going to benefit if we leave confederation. No one is taking their land. No one wants to stomp on their treaty rights. We want everyone in this province to be more prosperous and have a better future, and we're not going to get that right now from the federal Liberals."Before the sovereigntist speeches began, an indigenous man, unaffiliated with the counter-protesters, argued with a counter-protester about poor reserve conditions, criticizing federal inaction."Look at our housing — look at our water," he said. "Nobody is trying to take it away (your land). You guys haven't even stuck around to negotiate and see what this means. We could be partners with those guys — instead of them handing out stuff."Sovereigntist attendees applauded several speeches delivered from a podium on the legislature steps. Edmonton Police Service officers maintained order, and no physical altercations were observed by the Western Standard, though several shouting matches occurred.
