Chiefs representing Alberta’s treaty territories are calling for an investigation into Premier Danielle Smith and members of her United Conservative Party government over actions they say threaten treaty rights and Canada’s sovereignty.
The Assembly of Treaty Chiefs, which includes chiefs from Treaty 6, Treaty 7 and Treaty 8, passed a resolution earlier this week asking the RCMP and the auditor general to whether actions by Premier Danielle Smith and members of the UCP government warrant scrutiny under provisions of the Criminal Code that deal with treason-related offences.
“We call for this investigation on the basis of the intentional violation of the Treaties; of calling a referendum in the face of severe risks to Canada’s sovereignty and the Treaty Relationship and of failing to take action on the violation of privacy rights of millions of people,” the assembly said in its statement.
The chiefs also raised concerns about what they described as the risk of foreign interference and influence affecting matters involving the province.
According to the chiefs, the RCMP has a historic responsibility to support peace and security under the treaty relationship established between First Nations and the Crown.
“United, the Chiefs of Treaty No. 6, Treaty No. 7 and Treaty No. 8 Territories now call for the fulfilment of this commitment in the form of a full investigation.”
The resolution was adopted during a meeting of treaty chiefs held on Treaty 7 territory in Calgary on June 16.
As of publication, the RCMP and the premier’s office had not responded to requests for comment.
