Alberta Throne Speech: Grand Chief says time for province to put action to words

March 10, 2016.

The second Speech from the Throne delivered by Alberta’s New Democratic government is short on detail and offers nothing new for the province’s Indigenous population.

“In my view, the Throne speech was very thin on tangible ways (First Nations are) going to be participating,” said Treaty 7 Grand Chief Charles Weasel Head.

On Tuesday, Lieut. Gov. Lois Mitchell delivered the speech, opening the second session of the 29^th Legislature and the second session of Notley’s government. The speech referenced repealing Bill 22 as one of its “other measures,” saying the government “will engage Indigenous communities on how the Crown should fulfill its consultation duties and support the capacity of Indigenous people.”

“The discussions have been kind of on the same level for quite a number of years. There’s kind of an openness we’re hearing right now, that they’re willing to sit and discuss and move forward on such things as the consultation and accommodation issues,” said Weasel Head. “So when they say we’re going to tackle the whole issue on consultation and accommodation, specifically what is that?”

The Speech from the Throne referred specifically to Bill 22 and a new Indigenous People’s Sacred Ceremonial Objects Repatriation Act, but Weasel Head wants to know what else is on the table.

“Are we going to wipe the slate clean and have a fresh start with full participation at the highest level?” Weasel Head said.

The NDP has been in power for almost a year – winning the general election in May 2015 – and it’s time to get on with business, he says.

“They’ve had a period of orientation, they’ve had a period up to this point to understand what are the key priorities, and we have not inundated them with social issues on health, on housing, on poverty, on things like that,” said Weasel Head.

So it’s time now, he says, to forge that new relationship.

“There’s the overarching principles of our treaties, of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the commitment to use the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. I’m observing we’re regurgitating the language again. How are we going to do that?” said Weasel Head, who pointed out that First Nations leadership are familiar with the language of all the documents and have ideas on how the recommendations may be implemented. “We just need to have that commitment now that they’re ready to come back to the table and let’s put everything out on the table and we can move forward with it.”

After winning the election, Premier Rachel Notley stated in her acceptance speech, “And to Alberta’s Indigenous peoples, the trust that we have been given tonight is a call to be better neighbours and better partners. And I am looking forward to consulting with you and learning from you.”

Weasel Head says First Nations are willing to accept “incremental steps” forward.

“But right now, nobody seems to be pushing the button and moving forward with it…if nothing happens soon, given the state of the economy, at the best of times we’ve had very minimum involvements at the provincial level, and at the worst of times, I’m very concerned that we aren’t going to be able to reach some of those commitments the premier had discussed with First Nations,” he said.