Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron speaks in Saskatoon on Sept. 20, 2024. (File photo/paNOW Staff via CKOM News)

By Susan McNeil

FSIN speaks out

‘We agreed to share, not surrender’: FSIN weighs in on separatism talk

May 2, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations is warning Alberta Premier Danielle Smith that provinces have no legal right to surrender from Canada as they have never agreed to surrender their lands, only to share them.

Smith has left open the door to separatism talk that is being pushed by some groups of disgruntled voters, a door that Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has also refused to shut.

Now, Indigenous leaders in both provinces are reminding both governments that all of the land in question is governed by treaties that were written before their provinces were created.

“As a reminder, we are the First Peoples of these lands and waters,” stated FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “Those that want to leave are free to do so but all the lands, waters, and resources are First Nations, and were negotiated in the various treaties across Turtle Island. Our Treaties were and are still here long before the so-called western provinces became provinces.”

Treaty rights are protected under the constitution, said the FSIN, and those treaties were signed by the Crown and the First Nations. As such, they can’t be unilaterally altered by provinces.

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In Saskatchewan, the provincial NDP have called on Moe to denounce separatism ahead of a scheduled 75-minute debate in the Legislature that will include the topic.

“The fact that we even have to discuss anti-Canada separatism speaks volumes,” said Aleana Young, Shadow Minister for Jobs and the Economy. “Premier Moe had two opportunities this week to shut down talk of separation — and he didn’t. Saskatchewan people deserve better than vague answers when the unity and future of the country is on the line.”

In an emailed news release, Young pointed out the Moe did not unequivocally rule out the possibility of a referendum on Saskatchewan separating from Canada. His comments in question period instead said that it is unlikely to happen under the current rules.

Hansard shows Moe’s response was to accuse the NDP of being the only ones to talk of the idea.

“On the floor of this Assembly and virtually in many places across Saskatchewan, the only people I hear bringing up the discussion around separation, Mr. Speaker, is the Leader of the Opposition,” Moe said on April 29.

He added that there is provincial legislation that regulates the governmental response, and when 15 per cent of the electorate signs a petition, then the government is required to run a plebiscite.

Like Cameron from the FSIN, Chiefs in Alberta said their treaties (numbered seven through nine), pre-date the existence of the province.

paNOW’s sister publication in Lethbridge, lethbridgeNOW, pointed out that Smith had promised a ‘What’s Next’ panel after the federal election and that would include referendum as a topic.

She also threatened Prime Minister Mark Carney that there would be an “unprecedented national unity crisis” if he did not meet her demands within six months of the election.

Indigenous groups from both provinces are not interested in that topic continuing and are now speaking out.

The FSIN said the rhetoric is “harmful and divisive for all” and distracts from the actual goal of building a stronger, unified country.

“This issue of separatism is causing division where the focus has to be on creating a pathway where the future of all must be on unity,” said Chief Cameron. “First Nations never surrendered title to our lands and resources. We agreed to share, not surrender.”

The FSIN includes representation from 74 Saskatchewan First Nation.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bksy.social