At the heart of the case is a fundamental principle: treaty six came before Alberta and the promises made to the nations ancestors must be respected and honoured

Thanks to the Edmonton Journal for allowing us to shine a light on this very important proceeding.

READ HERE:

https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-treaty-6-alberta-sovereignty-act

Distribution begins Monday, December 7th, 2026.

-ONION LAKE CREE NATION-
Date: Monday, December 7th, 2026
Location: Communiplex Hall
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

-SASKATOON URBAN MEMBERS-
Date: Wednesday, December 9th, 2026
Urban House: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Prairieland Exhibition: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Address: 503 Ruth St W, Saskatoon, SK

-EDMONTON URBAN MEMBERS-
Date: Thursday, December 10th, 2026
Urban House: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Edmonton Inn & Conference Centre: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Address: 11834 Kingsway NW, Edmonton, AB

Onion Lake Employment, Training & Careers (ETC) is offering a 4-week retail training program from November 16 to December 11, 2026.

This program provides valuable workplace skills, Costco-related training, and additional supports for eligible participants.

Interested community members are encouraged to visit ETC for intake or call 306-344-1001.

Please see the poster below for eligibility requirements and additional information.

For Immediate Release

November 12, 2026

EDMONTON, AB — Onion Lake Cree Nation (OLCN) will appear before the Alberta Court of King’s Bench Friday, November 13^th as the provincial government seeks to strike the Nation’s legal challenge to Alberta’s Sovereignty Act.

At the heart of the case is a fundamental principle: Treaty 6 came before Alberta, and the promises made to the Nation’s ancestors must be respected and honoured.

OLCN filed its Statement of Claim in December 2022, challenging legislation it believes threatens constitutionally protected Treaty rights, inherent First Nations jurisdiction and the limits of provincial authority.

The Nation maintains that Alberta expedited passage of the Sovereignty Act without consulting OLCN or obtaining its Free, Prior and Informed Consent, despite the legislation’s potential implications for Treaty rights and jurisdiction.

“Our ancestors entered into Treaty 6 at Fort Pitt in 1876, nearly 30 years before Alberta became a province,” said Okimaw Pete Chief, Chief of Onion Lake Cree Nation. “Those promises were not temporary. They were sacred commitments between Nations, intended to endure for future generations. We have a responsibility to ensure they continue to be honoured.”

The November 13 hearing concerns Alberta’s application to strike OLCN’s claim, rather than a determination of the underlying Treaty rights issues.

OLCN questions why Alberta has not filed a Statement of Defence responding to its original claim and is instead seeking to have the case dismissed before those concerns are examined on their merits.

“We believe these important Treaty and constitutional questions deserve to be heard,” said ,” said Okimaw Pete Chief. “Our rights and inherent jurisdiction are fundamental to who we are as a people and our ability to determine our own future. They cannot simply be set aside.”

The Nation also points to a concerning difference between Alberta’s position in court and broader public discussions about provincial authority.

The province says it has taken no formal action under the Sovereignty Act and while Albertans have rejected the idea of separating from Canada, nine other questions remain under public discussion. These raise concerns for Treaty Nations. Alberta may argue that no formal action has been taken, but Onion Lake Cree Nation says it cannot simply wait until Treaty rights are affected before speaking out.

OLCN emphasizes that its challenge is about constitutional accountability, the rule of law and honouring commitments made under Treaty 6.

The Nation says its responsibility extends beyond the current legal proceedings to protecting the rights, lands and traditional ways of life of future generations.

“We are standing up for what our ancestors secured for us, and for what we must pass on to our children and grandchildren,” added Okimaw Pete Chief. “Treaty 6 came before Alberta. Its promises must be honoured.”

Media Availability: Okimaw Pete Chief, Chief of Onion Lake Cree Nation, will deliver brief remarks ahead of the court hearing.

Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: 9:15 a.m. (hearing begins at 10:00 a.m.)
Location: Outside the main entrance, Alberta Court of King’s Bench, 1A Sir Winston Churchill Square NW, Edmonton.

About Onion Lake Cree Nation

Onion Lake Cree Nation is an independent Treaty 6 Nation located along the Alberta–Saskatchewan border. The Nation is committed to protecting its inherent, Treaty and constitutional rights, upholding its direct Treaty relationship with the Crown and advancing the well-being and self-determination of its people.

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Calling all Onion Lake Cree Nation departments!

Join us November 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Onion Lake Communiplex Hall for an evening of connection, creativity, and community spirit.

Departments are encouraged to participate in the Airband Contest as we come together to celebrate National Aboriginal Addiction Awareness Week.

See poster for more information.

Onion Lake Prevention Services invites community members to join them on November 13, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Free haircuts, hygiene kits, dinner, transportation, and an opportunity to connect with staff.

Donations of non-perishable food and winter clothing are encouraged.

For more information, call 306-344-1700.

Join us on November 23, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM for an Awareness Walk from Chief Taylor School to the Communiplex, followed by a community lunch, an introduction to National Aboriginal Addiction Awareness Week, and a mock collision demonstration by FRP.

All community members and departments are encouraged to participate in support of awareness, hope, and healing.

For more information, call (306) 344-5033.

The jackpot continues to grow and is now at $25,279!

Draw #6 takes place on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 4:00 PM (CST).

Tickets are $5 each, with an e-transfer deadline of November 20 at 10:00 PM.

Onion Lake Cree Nation: October 2026 Community Recap

Celebrating Our People, Progress and Community Achievements

October was another month of community involvement, leadership, achievement, and connection for Onion Lake Cree Nation.

Throughout the month, Onion Lake made its presence known on the national stage, celebrated the accomplishments of local athletes, brought community members together through awareness events, and continued supporting opportunities for future generations.

From the hockey rink to Ottawa, here are some of the highlights and accomplishments from October 2026.

Standing Strong for Treaty Rights and Self Determination

One of the most significant developments this October was Onion Lake Cree Nation’s presence on the national stage in Ottawa.

On October 26, Okimaw Pete Chief and an Onion Lake Cree Nation delegation joined grassroots Chiefs, Elders, and leaders from other First Nations for a National Day of Action.

The Nation raised important concerns surrounding Treaty rights, First Nations jurisdiction, and the importance of ensuring Indigenous Nations have the authority to make decisions about their own futures.

Following the gathering, Onion Lake Cree Nation called on the federal government to withdraw Bill C-39, emphasizing that economic development must not come at the expense of meaningful consultation, Indigenous jurisdiction, and constitutionally protected Treaty rights.

The Nation also emphasized that any discussions surrounding the future of the Indian Act must be led by First Nations themselves.

This year marks 150 years since Onion Lake’s ancestors entered into Treaty No. 6 at Fort Pitt, making the protection and recognition of those commitments especially meaningful.

Celebrating Youth Achievement and Athletic Excellence

October brought exciting achievements for Onion Lake athletes and community members representing their Nation through sports and leadership.

On October 22, Onion Lake Scouts goaltender Brayden Dillon earned USPHL Alberta Division Goalie of the Week honours.

Dillon recorded an impressive 27-save shutout in a 5–0 victory over the Claresholm Cowboys. His accomplishment highlights the dedication and talent of young athletes representing Onion Lake.

Another exciting achievement came from Jacquelyne Chief, a member of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Hockey team.

On October 30, Huskie Athletics shared that Chief had been selected for the Hockey Canada and U SPORTS Creating Coaches Program. She was among 22 student-athletes across Canada chosen for the year-long initiative, which provides mentorship, training, and coaching experience to help increase opportunities for women in hockey.

Chief will gain hands-on coaching experience with the U15 AA Comet Chargers while developing her leadership and coaching abilities.

Having grown up spending much of her time in Onion Lake, Chief hopes to use her experiences and opportunities to inspire Indigenous female hockey players and create greater access to the sport for youth in her home community.

Her commitment to representation, mentorship, and giving back to future generations is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

Onion Lake also showed its support for local culture and talent by sponsoring Tristan Carter at the Powwow Times Championship Showdown in Red Deer, Alberta, on October 24.

Congratulations to Brayden, Jacquelyne, Tristan, and everyone representing Onion Lake with pride!

Bringing Community Together Through Awareness and Remembrance

Community connection and awareness were also important themes throughout October.

On October 22, Onion Lake Cree Nation held its Sisters in Spirit Awareness Walk, bringing attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

The walk provided an opportunity for community members to come together in remembrance, honour those who have been lost, support affected families, and continue raising awareness.

Events like these reinforce the importance of standing together, remembering loved ones, and keeping awareness and advocacy alive within the community.

Community Connections and Family Activities

October also provided opportunities for community members to come together through social gatherings, family activities, and community programming.

Onion Lake Cree Nation departments and organizations continued creating spaces for members to connect, participate, and build relationships through activities and events.

These gatherings play an important role in strengthening community connections, encouraging participation, and creating positive experiences for families, youth, and members of all ages.

Looking Back on October

From standing up for Treaty rights in Ottawa to celebrating athletic achievements and bringing community members together, October was filled with meaningful moments for Onion Lake Cree Nation.

The accomplishments of Brayden Dillon and Jacquelyne Chief demonstrate the talent and leadership emerging from the community, while the Nation’s advocacy and community awareness initiatives reflect its continued commitment to protecting its people, culture, and future generations.

As another month comes to a close, we recognize the individuals, families, leaders, athletes, departments, and organizations who continue contributing to the strength and growth of Onion Lake Cree Nation.