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As descendants of Peoples who entered into peace and friendship Treaties with the Crown to allow for the Queen’s subjects to live in our territories, we reject this national stage managed gathering, referred to as the “First Nations Summit”, being organized by Canada. Last minute invites, last minute agendas, last minute speaking times – all designed to give the Queen’s subjects the idea that we agree. This is a lie. It is manufactured to paint a false picture.
Lack of Respect for our Nations
The entirety of Bill C-5, known as the One Canadian Economy Act, 2025, was rammed through Parliament and the Senate without the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) of rights-holding First Nations, as required under international law. A divide and conquer tactic is evident and at play with how Canada is organizing this First Nation Summit. Canada continues to rush processes, limit information, and make unilateral changes to agendas delivered by third parties or lobby groups. As a result, Chiefs are restricted to limited time on complex constitutional regulatory issues. Of notable concern, the Chiefs are also denied the presence of our advisors and councils.
The Privy Council Office (PCO) has informed Chiefs that only they may attend, excluding subject matter experts and expecting leaders to respond on complex issues in a limited time frame, if at all. Meanwhile, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), an unregistered lobby group, has been guaranteed time that would be better allotted to rights-holding First Nations. Chief Phyllis Whitford of O’Chiese First Nation stated “we have continued to express publicly, and specifically to government paid Indigenous organizations, that they do not represent us. They have no mandate to do so.”
Violation of Treaty Rights
“Our Treaties, established on a nation-to-nation basis with the Crown, are rooted in the principles of mutual respect and coexistence. We did not cede our rights to land and resources; rather, we agreed to share the land while retaining our inherent sovereignty” stated Chief Sheldon Sunshine of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. Canada’s actions undermine these Treaties and disregard its legal and moral obligations owed to our Nations. The result of the Prime Minister’s Office pushing the One Canadian Economy Act, without First Nation involvement, will end with lengthy court battles, investor insecurity, and an embattled regulatory mess. It is not a streamlined process because our nations will not allow our lands, resources, and waters to be turned into deserts to enrich Canada while continuing to impoverish our future generations.
Lack of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent
The Federal Government is attempting to override our sovereignty. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) wrote to Canada in a letter sent December 13, 2019, that our right to FPIC must be respected. Canada has been in continuous violation of international law regarding our rights. This needs to stop.
Call to Action
We demand:
1. Immediate Cessation of Unilateral Actions: All plans and discussions related to the exploitation of resources within our territory or the take-over of our lands must halt immediately.
2. Respect for Our Sovereignty: Governments must recognize and uphold our inherent rights, sovereignty, and jurisdiction over our lands and resources, and stop using one-stop-shops in place of true consultation.
3. Meaningful Engagement: All future discussions impacting our territories must involve our Nations directly, ensuring FPIC is obtained in accordance with our protocols and international standards.
We stand united in defense of our lands, rights, and sovereignty. We will not tolerate any actions that undermine our Treaties or disregard our rightful place as sovereign self-determining Nations. Nothing about us, without us.
This statement is issued collectively by the leadership of the undersigned Treaty Nations in response to recent political developments threatening our sovereignty and rights. The undersigned Treaty Chiefs make the following statements:
“Canada needs to come to the table to meet with our Nations if they want to bring Honour to the Crown. Coming to Ottawa for a poorly coordinated meeting with last minute unilateral changes will not be a hug fest” said Chief Lameman
“As we prepare for the summit on Bill C-5, it’s critical to remind Canada that meaningful consultation cannot be reduced to mere notification or superficial engagement. Kehewin Cree Nation has never consented to the NRTA, an agreement imposed without our free prior and informed consent, undermining the sacred Treaty relationship. Our inherent rights clearly define our willingness to share resources only to the depth of a plough. Any projects or initiatives proposed on our sovereign territories must genuinely benefit our Nation, respect our sovereignty, and acknowledge our original jurisdiction over all resources beyond that depth. We expect Canada to honour these commitments, not through symbolic gestures, but through tangible actions rooted in genuine partnership and respect” stated Chief Watchmaker
“We did not give our free prior and informed consent. We did not cede and surrender our land and resources, they were stolen and we are here to remind Canada they are not for sale for Canada’s national interest” stated Chief Pete.
“Bill C-5, now The One Canadian Economy Act, denies our right to self-determination and our own First Nation economy. Does the legislation create a parallel economy or are we being subsumed into this legislation?” stated Chief Mykat.
Chief Whitford from O’Chiese First Nation said “There should be real work done with our Nations instead of a performative spectacle at the national capital to make it appear like our Nations agree with this sham process”.
Chief Desmond Bull from Louis Bull Tribe said “Louis Bull tribe is a sovereign nation. Our inherent rights bestowed by the Creator were never surrendered. These rights will never and can never be extinguished”.
Chief Tuccaro of Mikisew Cree Nation said, “Mikisew won the Supreme Court case for the duty to consult. We are here to remind the Prime Minister that without meaningful consultation there is no consent”.
“We are deeply disappointed with how this meeting is being organized and the continued disregard for our Treaty relationship. Our Treaties are not symbolic — they are internationally recognized agreements between sovereign Nations. They were not signed to be overridden by shifting political agendas or so-called national interests” stated Chief Saddleback from Samson Cree Nation.
"Bill C-5, the so-called 'One Canadian Economy Act,' is yet another attempt to erase the distinct inherent rights, treaties, and jurisdictions of First Nations under the guise of national unity. This bill undermines our sovereignty, disrespects our inherent rights, and continues the colonial pattern of imposing decisions without true Nation-to-Nation dialogue” said Chief Cattleman from Montana First Nation.
