Treaty 6 First Nation brought legal action against the Alberta Sovereignty Act, saying it violated treaty rights.
The Onion Lake Cree Nation filed a claim statement Monday in King’s Bench Court, seeking a variety of remedies including temporary and permanent injunctions, and claiming that the action violates the law. unreasonably violate treaty rights.
Police Chief Harry Lewis said the legal action came after a lack of consultation and consent.
Claiming the naming of the province, Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani, and Premier Danielle Smith.
Lewis, members of First Nation, and their legal counsel announced legal action at the River Cree Casino and Resort near Edmonton.
The Alberta Sovereignty Act in a Uniform Canada Act was passed last week, giving the province the power to overrule federal law.
The provincial government has 20 days to respond to the lawsuit. None of the charges were proven in court.
“As nations, we are deeply concerned that the state of Canada has allowed such an unconstitutional bill to pass unchecked,” Lewis said.
Onion lake district. Bernadene Harper said the community is open to improving relationships, but insult the idea of the act itself.
“I say from the heart: We are here today, we are alive and we are still ready to work with the government on the treaties promised to us. They promised when they made the final decision.” , said Harper .
Lewis said First Nation sent a letter to the prime minister expressing concern with the bill and asking the prime minister to sit down with leaders and discuss the implications, but they never received a response.
In an emailed statement to CBC, a spokesperson for the province said the Sovereignty Act is constitutional and does not interfere with or undermine Indigenous and treaty rights.
The statement of claim lists the many ways in which the alleged action violates treaty rights including violating reciprocal commitments made in the treaty and negating guarantees of livelihoods and freedoms. which the treaty was made to protect.
Not just Alberta
The lawsuit comes just two weeks after First Nations leaders from Alberta and Saskatchewan arrived in Ottawa and called on both provinces to rescind their respective provincial rights bills, calling them undemocratic, unconstitutional and violate the rights of indigenous peoples.
Onion Lake Cree Nation is located on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, about 50 kilometers north of Lloydminster.
Lewis said he hopes to launch similar legal action if the Saskatchewan First Act is passed.
Previously, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the Alberta Sovereignty Act was a political tool for Premier Danielle Smith to wage war on the federal government.
Prime Minister Trudeau said the relationship between Ottawa and the provinces is not like that of a parent to a child. Each side has distinct areas of authority and responsibility, he said.
Leaders from the Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8 territory all declared their opposition to the bill, stating suit-like arguments including a lack of consultation and treaty rights.
