Alberta government misses treaty anniversary event

An Alberta chief has called for greater respect from the provincial government following its failure to attend a significant event commemorating the 150th anniversary of Treaty 6. Joey Pete, the grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, criticized Premier Danielle Smith's administration for not sending Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney to the event held in Edmonton City Hall.

Pete stated that the absence of the minister and the government's focus on pipelines over reconciliation and revenue sharing show a lack of commitment to the treaty. The event featured Indigenous leaders, elders, and speeches from officials including the mayor and federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski. Alberta Lt.-Gov.

Salma Lakhani reaffirmed the Crown's commitment to the treaty, but Sawhney's office said she was away but committed to maintaining strong relationships. The province has planned other commemoration events throughout the week, including a re-enactment of the treaty signing at Fort Carlton in Saskatchewan, where the first signing of Treaty 6 took place in 1876.