Photo credit: Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation Administration Updates/Facebook.

By Curtis Galbraith

First Nations

Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation joins others in stopping resolution at AFN General Assembly

Jul 15, 2024 | 6:00 AM

The Chief of Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation says his and other nations were able to stop an idea they were opposed to at the recent Assembly of First Nations General Assembly convention in Montreal

The resolution called for the formation of a Chief’s Committee to look after treaty implementation and interpretation.

Sturgeon Lake joined the O’Chiese and Onion Lake First Nations in sending out a news release outlining their opposition to the idea before the vote was held.

Sturgeon Lake Chief Sheldon Sunshine says the resolution was “defeated handily.”

“We wouldn’t want to have some chiefs that might not have an understanding of our Treaty. Who knows who is going to sit on that committee on behalf of the AFN, right? So, we had serious concerns in Treaty 8 territory.”

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Sunshine adds his nation and others joined together to defeat a similar motion at another AFN gathering in December.

He says treaties were signed between the Crown and the First Nations, not the AFN or the federal government.

“With all the struggles that we have in First Nation country, there needs to be a lot of education. People don’t understand what happens on First Nation or how First Nation people live.”

“We’re not asking for anything for free. That’s the common theme is that First Nations get everything for free.”

Sunshine says given the agreements to share the bounty of the land, First Nations should be among the richest groups of people in Canada but instead, are one of the poorest.

He adds First Nations believe there is more to treaty obligations than what is written in the text.

Sunshine says his side’s interpretation is based on oral history handed down by elders but “history favours those who document it.”

Sunshine says the “gist of the issue” is the AFN and federal government coming up with legislation without the consent of First Nations.

He adds a “prime example” is Bill C-61, a bill concerning water on First Nations.

“I was at a committee hearing several weeks ago. They were working with the AFN and the AFN was working through their body and doing their consultations (what) they said (was) the AFN and other bodies.”

“Right away I know we don’t have representation there, so I asked what the other bodies were, because I know it’s not Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation.”

Sunshine calls this “manufacturing consent.”

He adds while they have not completed a full analysis, his side has some serious concerns with this bill. Those include jurisdiction over water on his First Nation.

Sunshine says another issue is that the AFN has no regional chief from Alberta, where other parts of Canada do have a representative.

He worries some First Nations don’t understand that some of the resolutions they are agreeing to and how they will impact future generations.

Sunshine says there are “good, strong people in Treaty 6, 7, and 8” who are paying attention to what is going on and is hoping nations elsewhere are paying attention.

“We are looking to help contribute to the economy of this country and I think if Canada and the government in Alberta step up and start working with us, we can really do some serious change and change the direction of our people and work together to create a viable economy and have us participate fully.”

Sunshine adds that has been the intent since his ancestors signed the treaties.