FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 5, 2025
Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Chiefs Strongly Reject Alberta’s Bill 54
ATIKAMEG, AB – The Chiefs of the Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council (KTC) are strongly denouncing the Government of Alberta’s Bill 54 – the Election Statutes Amendment Act – calling it a direct threat to the Treaty relationship between First Nations and the Crown.
KTC Nations, who are sovereign signatories to Treaty No. 8, signed a sacred and binding agreement with the Crown in 1899—years before Alberta became a province. The Chiefs assert that the Government of Alberta has no authority to alter, override, or ignore this Treaty relationship, and that Bill 54’s provisions to lower the threshold for referendums dangerously opens the door to separatist initiatives that violate the constitutionally protected rights of Treaty Nations.
“Our Treaty was made with the Crown, not with Alberta,” said Grand Chief Gilbert Okemow. “Alberta cannot make decisions about separation without Treaty First Nations at the table, doing so is both unconstitutional and disrespectful.”
The KTC Chiefs echo the stance of the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, who issued a statement on May 2, 2025, firmly opposing the Bill. As stated by Treaty 8 Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi, the Treaties are not agreements with Alberta, they are nation-to-nation commitments with the Crown meant to last “as long as the sun shines, the grass grows, and the rivers flow.”
“This Bill is more than a legislative change—it’s an attack on our sovereignty, our land, and our future as First Nations people” added Grand Chief Okemow. “Our position is firm: no decisions about these lands can be made without our full participation and agreement.
The KTC Chiefs are committed to upholding Treaty No. 8 and will continue to assert their sovereignty and responsibilities as Treaty Nations.
Grand Chief Gilbert Okemow
Media Contact:
Scott Hickling
Chief Executive Officer
Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council
Email: info@ktcadmin.ca
