Onion Lake Cree Nation has issued a cease-and-desist demand to the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), warning the national organization that it has no authority to represent or negotiate on behalf of the Nation at the upcoming First Nations–First Ministers’ Meeting in Ottawa.
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The independent Treaty 6 Nation, which straddles the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, announced Thursday that it is not an AFN member following a community referendum to withdraw from the organization.
“We are an independent Treaty 6 Nation with our own leadership and a direct Treaty relationship with the Crown,” said Okimaw (Chief) Pete Chief in a release. “Our people made a deliberate decision to withdraw from the AFN. That decision cannot be set aside simply because a national meeting is taking place.”
Onion Lake has given the AFN until 4 p.m. Ottawa time on Oct. 23, to provide written confirmation of compliance, noting that legal remedies may be pursued if the organization attempts to speak or give consent on the Nation’s behalf at the Oct. 26 summit.
In addition to the legal notice, Onion Lake leaders, Elders, Clan Mothers and grassroots delegates will join a National Day of Action outside the meeting venue at 111 Sussex Drive in Ottawa starting at 7 a.m. on Monday.
The demonstration aims to advocate for the inherent jurisdiction of independent Treaty Nations and voice opposition to federal legislation, specifically Bill C-37 (the First Nations Clean Water Act) and Bill C-39 (the Building Canada Strong Act).
“We respect the choices of Nations that participate through the AFN, and we expect equal respect for our decision to follow our own path,” Chief said. “The Oct. 26 gathering is about ensuring that the voices and authority of independent Treaty Nations are not overlooked.”
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