MASKEKOSIHK, TREATY NO. 6 TERRITORY, AB, April 2, 2026 /CNW/ - Treaty Chiefs and leaders, Elders, youth, and allies gathered in Maskekosihk, Enoch Cree Nation, in Treaty No. 6 territory—unceded, unreleased, and unsurrendered lands—to discuss the constitutional future of the Natural Resources Transfer Agreements (NRTA).

The event, titled "Unfinished Business – A National Assembly of Treaty Chiefs on the Constitutional Future of the NRTA," hosted by Kehewin Cree Nation (Treaty No. 6), resulted in a unified demand for immediate action to address Canada's decades-long refusal to uphold its legal obligations under Treaty, as well as its ongoing failure to address the arbitrary and controversial NRTA.

In 1930, Canada violated the Treaties made by the Crown by enacting the Natural Resources Transfer Agreements—three separate Acts of Parliament that transferred jurisdiction over natural resource administration to the provincial governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Despite Treaty leaders' expressed rejection of the NRTA in 1927, it has been used to deny First Nations jurisdiction over the benefits of natural resource extraction. It has also detrimentally affected the exercise of Treaty rights to hunt, fish, and trap, while contributing to significant environmental impacts across Treaty territories.

Chief Vernon Watchmaker stated:
"We demand justice and an end to decades of arbitrary actions by the three Prairie provinces and Canada under the Natural Resources Transfer Agreements. The NRTA is a violation of our Treaties, dishonours the Crown–Treaty relationship, and must be declared null and void."

Treaty leaders are calling on Canada, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to meet in advance of the First Ministers' Meeting this summer to begin discussions on the future of natural resource development in, on, and under Treaty lands. These discussions must include revenue sharing, with Tribal leaders at the table as full participants.

Chief Joel Mykat of Ermineskin Cree Nation stated:
"Treaty leaders are fully aware of Canada's and Alberta's actions toward domestic nation-building. We assert that the outstanding issues surrounding the NRTA, and the continued denial of Treaty jurisdiction, create instability and hinder economic progress. Chiefs are putting industry and investors on notice: this issue will not go away and must be addressed."

Grand Chief Joey Pete added:
"For more than a century, Treaty lands have powered Canada and the provinces through resources such as oil, gas, wheat, lumber, and critical minerals. Today, we are telling the world that any future resource development must include action on the NRTA. We demand it now, and we stand in solidarity."

The Chiefs are calling for the full repudiation of the NRTA and its purpose, along with immediate next steps from all levels of government.

Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi of Treaty 8 First Nations (Alberta) stated:
"The Governments of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba continue to act in blatant disregard of the legal and inherent authority of Treaty Nations over our lands. These actions undermine the very foundations of Canada. Treaty jurisdiction and sovereignty are not negotiable, and threats to the rights and futures of First Nations will not be tolerated."

Chief Allan Adam of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation asserted:
"No nation-building projects are possible without full Treaty recognition and a clear action plan on the NRTA. Canada and the provinces know this. If they are serious about Canada's economic future, they must come to the table and work with us on restitution and a Treaty-based path forward."

Treaty leaders expect to reconvene within the next month to develop a comprehensive action plan.

SOURCE Kehewin Cree Nation