Treaty 6, 7, 8 Territories – July 2, 2026 — The Chiefs Steering Committee on Technical Services (CSC), representing First Nations across Treaty 6, 7, and 8 territories, rejects the Government of Alberta’s announcement detailing a new oil pipeline. In a time of climate crisis and with promises of Indigenous consultation, the Governments of Canada and Alberta have doubled down on the very actions that will risk the lives of every person on these lands.

Treaty Chiefs object to both the Government of Canada and UCP Government of Alberta’s accelerated infrastructure plans that have, once again, been created without engagement or consent, willfully ignoring sacred Treaty covenants and our Peoples’ inherent right to water and land. It is Treaty Peoples who will live with the consequences of Alberta and Canada’s actions, and it is our Peoples who will stand up to it.

“UCP Premier Danielle Smith and Prime Minister Mark Carney continue to pass the pen between themselves to draw lines through our territories without our consent, all while ignoring the health of our ecosystems,” says Chief Rupert Meneen, Tallcree Tribal Government and Chair of the CSC. “A pipeline like this can’t be fast-tracked in secret and expect First Nations to be willing participants, despite our repeated attempts to work on a water strategy in good faith. What we expect is what the colonial Governments of Canada and Alberta are legally required to demonstrate: Honour of the Crown.”

Treaty Chiefs are calling for all citizens across these shared lands to rise with them and stand against this project. There are significant risks to water when moving millions of barrels of bitumen—source waters must be protected and preserved for today and the future. We all need water to live and through projects that continue to extract at all costs, these governments will create a future where water is sold to the highest bidder.

“This is a pattern of disrespect. Directly following the tabling of Bill C-37 behind closed doors, this rush to secure a pipeline shows a systemic disregard for our inherent authority,” says Chief Sheldon Sunshine, Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. “Premier Smith and Prime Minister Carney need to understand that bypassing nation-to-nation consent will end in our unwavering opposition.”

Media Contact

Gillian Edwards
Chiefs Steering Committee
info@chiefssteeringcommittee.net
587-216-8581

About the Chiefs Steering Committee on Technical Services
The Chiefs Steering Committee on Technical Services (CSC) provides oversight to the First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group (TSAG), serving the interests of Treaty 6, 7, and 8 Nations in Alberta regarding water, housing, and infrastructure