Edmonton rally for Alberta independence met with opposition from Indigenous community

Tensions ran high at the Alberta legislature Saturday, as a rally for Alberta independence drew hundreds to the legislative grounds in support of the province separating from Canada, following the federal election earlier this week in which the Liberals won.

Alongside the rally, a counter-protest also took place, organized by members of Alberta’s Indigenous community.

“We’re hoping to inform Albertans why independence is important for Alberta,” said Jeevan Mangat, a volunteer with the organizing committee. “For too long—60 years—I’ve grown up in Alberta, and we have been dominated by eastern politicians and eastern politics. Our resources have been landlocked since Justin Trudeau got in. So we wish to be in charge, as Albertans, of our own nation.”

“This is our land,” said Elder Taz, the counter-protest organizer. “Your family came here from somewhere else; your ancestors came here from somewhere else. My family started here. Have some respect.”

Jeevan Mangat, one of the spokespeople for the Rally for Alberta Independence, says the group is focused on collecting enough signatures to trigger a referendum. The movement has been acknowledged by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and has gained momentum since the federal election results.

“The purpose of this rally is that we’re totally focused on the independence of Alberta first,” said Mangat. “And First Nations is first. That means, step two, we will be negotiating with First Nations. By law, we cannot ignore them. By law, we have to sit and negotiate with them after the referendum passes—and in turn, they have to come and talk to us as well.”

Taz, the organizer of the counter-protest, says she is very happy with the results of the federal election. She says she will continue to voice her support for Alberta remaining part of Canada.

“We worked hard to get Mark Carney in. It was the Indigenous vote that was the deciding vote,” said Taz. “People don’t know that. We don’t normally vote. But when we have to, we will—to swing it our way. We want the person who will work with us, who will make things better, who understands what treaty means, and who understands the need to represent Canada at our treaty talks.”

Earlier this week, Smith tabled a bill that would lower the number of required signatures to trigger a referendum from 20 percent of eligible voters to 10 percent—177,000 signatures.

Two First Nations chiefs issued a statement opposing separation talks, saying the premier is attempting to manufacture a national unity crisis. There has not yet been any confirmation from Smith that a referendum will, in fact, happen.