Piikani Nation Chief Troy Knowlton, whose community is located about 60 kilometres west of Lethbridge, is expressing disappointment over Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s absence from a meeting of First Nations leaders and first ministers in Ottawa. Assembly of First Nations chiefs are meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and most provincial and territorial premiers to discuss building prosperity for future generations. The meeting comes as Carney’s government works to accelerate approvals for major projects and development, efforts some First Nations leaders say could threaten their rights. Smith was scheduled to attend meet-and-greet events in Innisfail and Devon on Monday, according to the United Conservative Party’s website. In a statement, Ryan Fournier, press secretary to the premier, said elected officials would not be available to attend because Alberta’s legislative session begins this week. “Alberta’s government values our relationships with First Nations leaders, communities and organizations,” Fournier said. Officials from Alberta Indigenous Relations and Alberta Intergovernmental and International Relations will attend the meeting as observers, he said. “We look forward to the outcomes of this important meeting.” Knowlton said Smith had an obligation to work toward restoring relations with First Nations following Alberta’s recent referendum on separation. “It raised fundamental questions about Treaty rights without proper consultation. It created uncertainty on Treaty lands,” Knowlton said in a news release. “It forced First Nations to defend rights that have been in place since before Alberta existed as a province.” Knowlton said the Blackfoot Treaty and Treaties 6 and 8 are living agreements with the Crown that cannot be overridden by a majority vote without the free, prior and informed consent of First Nations. He said the rejection of separation in the referendum should prompt the province to begin restoring relations with First Nations, adding that the Ottawa meeting would have been a concrete step toward that goal. “It would have signalled a willingness to engage directly with First Nations leaders on how we move forward together inside Canada,” Knowlton said in the news release. He said he hopes Smith will soon demonstrate a commitment to strengthening relationships with First Nations and building a future based on respect and consent.
