Activities
12 Chiefs choose to boycott ACLA meeting | August 28th, 2014
12 Chiefs from Treaty No. 8 [Alberta] collectively decided to boycott the Aboriginal Consultation Levy Act (ACLA) "Engagement" session being put on by Aboriginal Relations Minister Frank Oberle. Instead, they held a press conference and hand delivered the following letter to the Minister. These 12 Chiefs, frustrated by the lack of meaningful consultation on these issues, decided to send the Minister a clear message.
MOU Newsletter is Here | DECEMBER 20TH, 2013
Have you heard about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Education but want to know more? Take a look at the latest newsletter on where the MOU is going and how it will affect you!
Let's create a brighter future for the children of Treaty No. 8, together.
Minister meets with the elders | december 5th, 2013
On a particularly icy Thursday morning in December, the Treaty 8 Elders Advisory Council met with the Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Robin Campbell. Initially, the general mood of the meeting matched the weather outside but appeared to warm up when the Elders heard what Minister Campbell had to say.
"I have said this before but in the richest province, in one of the richest countries in the world, we have people living in third world conditions," stated Minister Campbell, before continuing, "We have to change that."
Grand chief to meet with Minister | September 16th, 2012
The Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, Richard Kappo, is confirmed to be meeting with the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Bernard Valcourt, on September 24th, 2013.
They will be discussing the upcoming Education Act, the future of Education for the members of Treaty No. 8 and how the Minister plans on meeting the educational needs of First Nations people.
Merry Christmas to Treaty No. 8 | December 20th, 2012
Merry Christmas to everyone in Treaty No. 8 from all the staff at Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
A Christmas Message to Everyone
Treaty 8 Chiefs Speak Out Against Bill C-45 | December 14th, 2012
Canada recently passed new legislation, Bill C-45, the omnibus budget bill, that will make changes to the Indian Act. These new unilateral changes were done so under extreme opposition by First Nation leadership across the country. This new legislation will affect First Nations across Canada and was done without proper consultation or participation from Treaty First Nations.
Some Chiefs in Treaty 8 have a very strong response for the Government of Canada and have released press statements refusing to recognize this law. These statements describe that their Nations will not recognize any law that has passed without First Nation Consent and that any law that affects their Nations without their involvement will not apply on their lands.
Click below to view the press releases:
Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation
Non Insured Health Benefits Computer System Was Down | December 14th, 2012
Last week on Monday, December 10th until December 13th, 2012, Health Canada's Non Insured Health Benefits computer system was temporarily down. It is currently working again but resulted in some clients being asked to pay up front for services.
If you were one of the clients affected by this service outage and could not receive your necessary services you will be able to go back to your local service provider and be provided them now.
If you were a client that paid up front for a service provided during this service outage please contact Non Insured Health Benefits Alberta Regional Office at (780) 495-2694 to obtain a re-imbursement.
For any additional concerns or help please contact:
Roxanne Tootoosis
NIHB Navigator
Phone: (780) 444-9366
Chiefs Physically Blocked From Parliament In Demand To Be Heard On Omnibus Budget Bill | December 5th, 2012
First Nation leaders were physically blocked from entering the House of Commons yesterday as they pushed for a voice on the government's omnibus budget bill.
Following a rally on Parliament Hill, dozens of aboriginal leaders walked into the Commons and spoke directly to Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver, who had been asked to speak to them by NDP MP Charlie Angus.
Grand Chief Receives Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award | November 16th, 2012
On November 14, 2012, the Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, Roland Twinn, was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The Diamond Jubilee Medal commemorates the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the II's reign. This award is given out to individuals to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. The award will be given out to 60,000 deserving Canadians this year. We, at Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, would like to thank the Grand Chief for his continued service and congratulate him on being one of the award recipients.
Chiefs Talk About Consultation | November 5th, 2012
Concerned about the issues currently facing their communities, the Chiefs of Treaty 8 met in Edmonton to discuss how to improve the livelihood of their people. Also, the Chiefs wished to speak about consultation within the province and how it is critically failing First Nations. The meeting was serious and focused on strategies to create better consultation practices within Alberta. In addition, the Chiefs spoke about how they could increase unity among the nations to create a stronger voice.
Highlights
The largest issue that the Chiefs debated was current consultation policy from the Government of Alberta, it's ineffectiveness to First Nations and strategies on how to bring about change.
As well, Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Health presented some new ideas for the Chiefs to consider and decide on.
Quotes
The Chiefs had some powerful messages during the day long meeting:
'The province doesn't seem to take our position seriously. We have some strategies in place but I am hoping to hear from the Chiefs on what we should do. The Livelihood office at Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta is ready to do whatever the Chiefs direct.'
Chief Leon Chalifoux – Swan River First Nation
Chief of Livelihood Portfolio
'Regardless of how the province deals with us as bands we need to figure out how we deal with us as a group. We need to stand united with one voice but that can begin right now.'
Chief Richard Kappo – Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
Deputy Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
'How much is your freedom worth? If we had to put a monetary value on an acre what would it be? At some point we are going to have to challenge the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement or we will only have our own reserve boundaries.
We need to think about what it's worth to lose an acre. To lose the hunting, trapping and fishing in an area. We need to have a long term mindset for resolving these issues.'
Chief Arthur Noskey – Loon River First Nation
'In my mind, it's our Treaty Right to hunt wherever we can. If they question that I see it as an infringement on our Rights.'
Chief Rick Horseman – Horse Lake First Nation
'What is an acre worth? What is an acre worth to a hunter that feeds his family with moose? If we think about it like that over decades it would be worth hundreds of thousands per acre.'
Chief Roland Twinn – Sawridge First Nation
Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
'We need to look at what's been done in the past, present and future. We need to challenge the province on our Treaty, our Rights.'
Chief Eddie Tallman – Whitefish Lake First Nation
'We need to come together on this issue. This is about our land, the most crucial part of our Treaty.'
Chief Rose Laboucan – Driftpile First Nation
Chief of Education Portfolio
'Twenty-four voices are stronger than one.'
Chief Richard Kappo – Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation
Deputy Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
'I have seen what happens to wilderness in overpopulated areas.'
Chief James Ahnassay – Dene Tha' First Nation
'One of the first things we may want to work on is unity. We all want certain things. We want prosperous communities. We want educated people. We keep getting painted with someone else's brush. We need to use our own brush and say this is who we are.'
Chief Roland Twinn – Sawridge First Nation
Grand Chief of Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta
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Maps
Alberta is the only province to officially recognise Métis territory as reserve land, the lands marked on these maps. Other Métis communities throughout the country are not so designated, and are not yet marked on these maps.
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