The empty chair at a major ceremony isn't just an oversight. It's a loud, clear statement. When the Alberta government skipped the 150th-anniversary celebration of the signing of Treaty 6 this week at Edmonton City Hall, they didn't just miss a photo opportunity. They signaled exactly where the treaty relationship stands today.
Grand Chief Joey Pete of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations didn't mince words. He called for respect. When the provincial minister responsible for Indigenous relations stays away from a landmark event celebrating a foundational agreement, it isn't a scheduling conflict. It is a choice.
The Problem With Ignoring History
You might think skipping an event is a minor diplomatic faux pas. If you do, you're missing the point. Treaty 6 isn't a dusty historical relic you pull out for anniversaries. It is a binding, constitutional agreement that governs the very existence of the province of Alberta. When a government skips the ceremony, they aren't just insulting the leadership; they are undermining the historical weight of the treaty itself.
The frustration bubbling up among First Nations leaders isn't new, but it is reaching a breaking point. For years, the rhetoric from the provincial government has been about "working together" and "building relationships." Yet, on the ground, the story is different. Chiefs are waiting for meetings that never get scheduled. They are watching policies on land use, energy development, and even sovereignty referendums move forward without meaningful consultation.
Why Consultation is Not Optional
Let’s talk about the Crown’s duty to consult. It’s not a suggestion. It’s not a hurdle for a government to jump over when it’s convenient. It is a legal and moral mandate. When Chief Pete points out that every representative in the House is a Crown representative, he’s talking about the fundamental basis of Canadian law.
If the province wants to talk about sovereignty or new pipeline corridors, they need to realize they aren't operating in a vacuum. They are operating on land governed by treaties. You cannot effectively govern, or push for structural changes like a separation referendum, while ignoring the very people who signed the original deal. It makes the entire provincial stance look not just disrespectful, but legally precarious.
The Real Stakes in Alberta
Look at the current climate in Alberta. You have intense talk about economic independence, resource control, and shifting the power balance between the province and Ottawa. Meanwhile, the relationship with First Nations is becoming increasingly, and dangerously, brittle.
When you strip away the political maneuvering, this is about basic professionalism and human decency. If you invite someone to your home for dinner and don't show up, you don't expect them to keep asking you back. Governance is the same. The "frail" state of the treaty relationship that NDP shadow minister Brooke Sarkind-Paul mentioned isn't just political hyperbole. It’s a reality that businesses, investors, and everyday citizens in Alberta are going to feel sooner rather than later.
If the provincial government wants to prove they actually value the treaty relationship, they have to do more than send a polite statement from a minister’s office about "looking ahead."
What Needs to Change
The path forward is simple, even if it’s difficult. It requires the provincial government to stop treating First Nations as an afterthought or a stakeholder to be managed.
- Stop the performative distance. If there’s an event of this magnitude, the minister needs to be there. Showing up matters. It shows you acknowledge the weight of the history.
- Commit to real-time, high-level engagement. If Chiefs say they are waiting for meetings, they are waiting for meetings. Stop claiming you work with them while keeping them at arm's length.
- Bring them into the room before the policy is written. Don't draft legislation or push a referendum and then ask for feedback. That’s not consultation. That’s seeking permission for a done deal.
The 150th anniversary of Treaty 6 was meant to be a moment of reflection and a bridge to the future. Instead, it served as a stark reminder of the massive gap between the province’s words and its actions. If the government wants to move forward, they need to stop walking alone. They need to start showing up.
