PIcture courtesy of Blood Tribe Communications - Tsinikssini FB page. Photo credit: Dominic Many Bears.
Southern Alberta’s Blood Tribe is condemning Alberta’s decision to allow a pro-independence petition, saying it enables separatism and violates treaty and constitutional rights.
The Blood Tribe says it will join legal action with other First Nations, calling on the provincial government to repeal parts of Bill 14 and halt the separatist petition.
In a statement released Friday, the First Nation rejected any move toward Alberta separating from Canada and raised serious concerns about recent changes to the Citizen Initiative Act under Bill 14.
The Blood Tribe says the amendments removed safeguards meant to block unconstitutional referendum questions.
The statement points to a recent Court of King’s Bench ruling that found Alberta’s proposed independence referendum contravenes the Charter and treaty rights, a decision the First Nation says was undermined by last-minute legislative changes.
The group argues Alberta has no authority to alter its treaty relationship with First Nations or pursue independence.
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