First Nation Launches Legal Challenge Against Alberta Separation Petition

Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation speaks during a press conference on the sidelines of the First Nations Summit in Ottawa on July 17, 2025. Spencer Colby/The Canadian PressA northern Alberta First Nation is taking legal action against the provincial and federal governments and Alberta’s chief electoral officer over the approval of a citizen-initiated petition to separate the province from Canada, saying it infringes on treaty rights.Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation (SLCN) filed a statement of claim on Jan. 5 in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, alleging that the province, the federal government, and Alberta’s chief electoral officer failed to protect treaty rights after the provincial election body issued a citizen initiative petition related to Alberta independence.