Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations

Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
Name	Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
Established	1993
Location	Maskwacis, Alberta, Canada
Type	Tribal council
Leader title	Grand Chief
Leader name	George Arcand Jr.

Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations is a First Nations tribal council based in Maskwacis, Alberta, representing Plains Cree and allied nations in central Alberta and Saskatchewan. It acts as a political, legal, social, and economic advocate for member bands in matters related to Treaty 6, Indian Act (Canada), and contemporary Indigenous policy debates involving the Government of Canada, the Province of Alberta, and the Government of Saskatchewan. The organization engages with federal and provincial institutions, Indigenous organizations, and academic partners on land rights, health, education, and cultural revitalization.

History

The Confederacy traces its formation to efforts by chiefs and leaders responding to the legacy of Treaty 6 negotiations of 1876 and the subsequent administration under the Indian Act (Canada), with organized modern advocacy accelerating in the late 20th century around issues raised in the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples and the Oka Crisis. Influential leaders including hereditary chiefs and elected chiefs engaged with legal milestones such as the Calder v British Columbia (Attorney General), Delgamuukw v British Columbia, and R v Sparrow decisions to assert land and treaty rights. The Confederacy developed relationships with national bodies like the Assembly of First Nations and regional bodies such as the Alberta First Nations caucuses, while responding to federal initiatives like the Kelowna Accord and the implementation processes following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Cross-border and intertribal alliances involved connections with organizations including the Métis National Council, the Native Women’s Association of Canada, and the National Association of Friendship Centres to coordinate social and legal strategies. Engagements with provincial agencies led to memoranda with the Alberta Ministry of Indigenous Relations and interactions with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities on resource and jurisdictional disputes.

Member First Nations and Governance

Member communities include prominent nations such as Ermineskin Cree Nation, Louisiana (Piapot)-related historical connections, Hobbema-area nations like Samson Cree Nation, Maskwacis Cree affiliates, Montana First Nation, Alexis Nakota Sioux Nation-adjacent relations, and others historically associated with Treaty 6 territories including Cold Lake First Nations and Lubicon Lake Band-linked dialogues. Governance combines traditional leadership roles with structures influenced by the Indian Act (Canada) electoral code and community constitutions modeled after recommendations from the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. Leadership has included figures who participated in national forums such as the Prime Minister of Canada meetings and provincial assemblies with the Premier of Alberta and the Premier of Saskatchewan. The Confederacy’s decision-making bodies have established committees interfacing with statutory bodies like the Canadian Human Rights Commission and entities such as the Land Claims Agreement Coalition.

Treaty Rights and Legal Relations

The Confederacy advocates for enforcement and interpretation of Treaty 6, invoking jurisprudence from cases like Guerin v The Queen, R v Powley, and Tsilhqot'in Nation v British Columbia to advance land, harvesting, and fiduciary claims. It engages in litigation and negotiation with federal departments including Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (now split into Crown–Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada) and seeks outcomes aligned with principles affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Confederacy has participated in settlement negotiations related to resource extraction disputes involving corporations such as Suncor Energy, Canadian Natural Resources Limited, and pipeline projects linked to Enbridge and Trans Mountain Pipeline. It also uses administrative tribunals like the Federal Court of Canada and collaborates with advocacy organizations including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and legal clinics at institutions like the University of Alberta Faculty of Law and the University of Saskatchewan College of Law.

Programs and Services

The Confederacy delivers programs addressing health, education, and social services through partnerships with agencies such as Alberta Health Services, Saskatchewan Health Authority, and national funders including Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada. Initiatives span community mental health collaborations with organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association and addiction services involving the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Education and training programs liaise with post-secondary institutions such as NorQuest College, Keyano College, University of Alberta, and Keyano College-partnered apprenticeships, while youth and employment services coordinate with the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) Program. Child and family services interact with provincial bodies like the Alberta Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act administrators and nongovernmental partners such as Native Counselling Services of Alberta.

Economic Development and Partnerships

Economic initiatives include resource stewardship, business development, and joint ventures in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and tourism with partners including Suncor Energy, CN Railway, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, and regional economic development agencies like the Alberta Chambers of Commerce. The Confederacy supports community-owned enterprises, works with financial institutions such as the Business Development Bank of Canada and Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada programs, and fosters partnerships with corporations like FortisAlberta on infrastructure projects. Land use planning and revenue-sharing agreements have involved provincial ministries such as the Alberta Energy Regulator and intergovernmental forums including the National Energy Board (now Canada Energy Regulator), while economic research collaborations have occurred with think tanks like the Institute for Research on Public Policy and university research centres including the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.

Culture, Language, and Community Initiatives

Cultural revitalization emphasizes Plains Cree language programs, powwow sponsorships, and preservation projects in cooperation with institutions such as the Canadian Museum of History, the Glenbow Museum, and archives like Library and Archives Canada. Language curriculum development collaborates with the First Nations University of Canada, the Alberta School Curriculum authorities, and community-driven programs modeled after the Master-Apprentice Model used in other Indigenous language revitalization initiatives. Cultural initiatives include partnerships with arts funding bodies like the Canada Council for the Arts and community media collaborations with outlets such as the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and campus radio stations at the University of Alberta and University of Saskatchewan. Community wellness programming incorporates traditional practices connected to historical leaders referenced in Treaty 6 annals, and connects with national commemorations like the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Category:First Nations tribal councils in Alberta Category:Treaty 6