Alberta can’t turn page on Canada without First Nations

Opinion

Imagine starting a book on Chapter 2.

The story would make no sense. Understanding it would be a very frustrating experience. Many details would be missed.

And, in the end, what would be left is countless invalid assumptions and conclusions based on ignorance and incomplete information.

Yet, the story of Canada is predominantly written using a series of Chapter 2s.

Take, for example, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s proposed bill that would lower the requirements for Albertans to trigger a referendum on separating from Canada.

Albertans have every right to have a referendum on any question, of course, but separation from Canada is impossible without First Nations involvement.

Alberta land — 100 per cent of it — is on Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10, all agreements First Nations signed to share land with the Crown. There are also dozens of Métis settlements.

Remove the Crown, and Alberta land reverts to Indigenous peoples.

It’s that simple.

In other words, any discussion on Alberta separation begins by speaking primarily with Indigenous peoples. All other topics constitute Chapter 2.

I could cite other examples — like the countless times First Nations leaders are asked to “consult on projects” when everything is already decided or when Canadian politicians call Indigenous rights “red tape” — but you get the point.

The way Canadian leaders and institutions view Indigenous peoples when it comes to the land and resources is like telling a story starting on Chapter 2: inverted, inefficient, and leads to a lot of wasted time.

The fact is Canada has been built through the development of natural resources and infrastructure to transport those resources and that ain’t changing any time soon.

In the past, Canada built a land-based economy based on the fur trade, agriculture and lumber.

This continues today with oil, gas, and critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, copper and bauxite ore (aluminum).

In the future, Canadian water, silica sand and chemicals used for adhesive products are expected to become the backbone of this country’s economy.

In all cases, these resources are on lands claimed by First Nations, Métis, and Inuit governments. They must be involved first and foremost in their use.

Under Section 35 of the Constitution, the “free, prior and informed consent” of impacted Indigenous nations must be obtained and Indigenous and treaty rights protected.

Meanwhile, the inspiration to build highways, railways, and pipelines come from their ability to move, trade, and expand these resources.

This infrastructure — and, indeed, any new projects — are also on Indigenous lands. This also includes the creation of office buildings, new home developments and anything where a shovel goes into the ground.

Until the 1970s, Canada could get resource and infrastructure projects done, and did, by simply ignoring Indigenous claims, ownership and rights.

While this created much historical mistrust, trauma, and division between Indigenous peoples and Canadians, one never really had to worry because the country could act (legally, anyways) like Indigenous peoples didn’t factor into the conversation.

Then came Supreme Court decisions, the recognition of Indigenous and treaty rights and Canada’s adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Now, new Prime Minister Mark Carney wants to speed up.

“We are going to build, baby, build,” Carney announced on election night, adding: “We will need to do things previously thought impossible at speeds we haven’t seen generations.”

In an effort to combat U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariffs and constant threats to make Canada the 51st state, Carney promised to jump-start Canada’s economy by fast-tracking natural resource projects and investing in infrastructure.

“It’s time to build twice as many homes every year with an entirely new housing industry using Canadian technology, Canadian skilled workers, Canadian lumber. It’s time to build new trade and energy corridors, working in partnership with the provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples. It’s time.”

It may be time, but it’s not time to put Indigenous peoples at the end of any plan.

If one wants to fast-track resource development and the building of infrastructure, one had better start talking to Indigenous peoples now.

In other words, before “build, baby, build” must come “reconcile, baby, reconcile.”

Everything else is Chapter 2.