Treaty 8 First Nations Chiefs met with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Thursday to deliver a unified call for immediate action on treaty recognition, emergency management reform, and resource revenue sharing.Led by Chief Ramona Horseman of Horse Lake First Nation, the delegation emphasized that Treaty No. 8 is a constitutionally protected agreement between sovereign First Nations and the Imperial Crown — not the Province of Alberta. Chiefs stressed that Alberta has no authority to define, limit or override inherent Treaty rights..“This was not a ceremonial gathering,” said Horseman. “We came with unified purpose, with clear, achievable requests, and a strong expectation that Alberta must shift from exclusion to collaboration.”The leaders identified three priority areas for urgent response. First, they demanded that Alberta stop legislating in areas protected by treaty, such as health, education and child welfare. They opposed the province’s Sovereignty Act and criticized its ongoing delegation of consultation duties to industry. Chiefs called for a formal Alberta-Treaty 8 political table, an immediate halt to Crown land sales, and full recognition of Treaty 8 governance.Second, the chiefs called for an overhaul of Alberta’s emergency response systems. Citing failures during recent wildfires and floods, they said current systems are municipal in design and exclude First Nations. They are demanding an emergency coordination agreement co-led by Treaty 8, with 80% of funding delivered in advance and protocols rooted in First Nations governance..Third, the chiefs rejected Alberta’s assumed control over natural resources within Treaty 8 territory, calling it a breach of Treaty rights. Despite billions in resource revenue generated annually from oil, gas, forestry and mining, First Nations are left out of decision-making. Chiefs are seeking a Treaty 8 Resource Revenue Sharing Agreement, equity participation in major projects, and full transparency on resource income from their territories. They also called for a freeze on Crown land sales and leases until all outstanding Treaty Land Entitlements are addressed.“This meeting was about truth-telling and table-setting,” said Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi. “We have laid out a path forward. Now we are asking the premier and the Alberta government to respond with a commitment to establish a formal collaborative process, timelines, and a willingness to move our calls for action forward.”Treaty 8 leadership is seeking a follow-up meeting with the premier on Treaty 8 Territory to continue building what they describe as a nation-to-government relationship based on respect, recognition and results.
