An Alberta chief is expressing disappointment in the provincial government as the Indigenous relations minister was absent from a significant event commemorating the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6.
Joey Pete, the grand chief of the Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations, highlighted the absence of representation from Premier Danielle Smith’s administration as concerning.
The event, held at city hall and led by Mayor Andrew Knack, featured Indigenous dignitaries engaging in ceremonies while government officials delivered speeches. Alberta Lt.-Gov. Salma Lakhani and federal Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, Eleanor Olszewski, were among the key speakers present alongside Pete and Knack.
Pete emphasized his worries about the upcoming Alberta separation referendum and pipeline development discussions, noting the lack of dialogue initiated by the province.
In response, Indigenous Relations Minister Rajan Sawhney’s office communicated that despite her absence, she remains dedicated to fostering strong relationships with Indigenous communities.
Acknowledging the significance of the 150th anniversary milestone, Sawhney’s office emphasized the importance of reflecting on the past while looking towards the future.
The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations confirmed that invitations were extended to all levels of government, including Minister Sawhney, for the event. However, they were informed of her unavailability due to being away.
The city hall event kickstarted a series of activities in Edmonton throughout the week to honor the anniversary, culminating in a re-enactment of the treaty signing. Additional events are scheduled for the weekend at Fort Carlton in Saskatchewan, the original signing location of Treaty 6.