The Blood Tribe, a First Nation in southern Alberta, has issued a forceful condemnation of the provincial government's actions, which it says enable a drift toward separatism. The nation is pledging to join other Indigenous groups in mounting a legal challenge.
Legal Action and Constitutional Concerns
In a statement released on Friday, January 10, 2026, the Blood Tribe strongly rejected any initiative aimed at Alberta separating from Canada. The First Nation expressed grave concerns about the Citizen Initiative Act, which was amended in December 2025 by Bill 14.
The three-page statement argues that the amended legislation removed critical screening mechanisms. These mechanisms were designed to prevent citizen-led initiatives from advancing proposals that contravene the Constitution of Canada. "Bill 14 removed critical screening mechanisms," the statement reads, highlighting what the nation sees as a dangerous procedural shift.
Court Ruling and Legislative Maneuver
The Blood Tribe's statement references a significant court decision from last month. The Court of King’s Bench ruled that the province’s proposed referendum on Alberta independence contravenes the Charter and treaty rights guaranteed under the constitution. This ruling came in response to a legal challenge from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and other First Nations intervenors.
However, that court victory was swiftly undermined. The province introduced Bill 14 a day before the court's decision was rendered, effectively giving new life to the Alberta Prosperity Project's pro-independence push. The bill removed the requirement for referendum questions to be constitutional and stripped the chief electoral officer or attorney general of the power to refer initiative proposals to the court, though cabinet retains such power under other legislation.
Ignored Opposition and Treaty Rights
The Blood Tribe argues that the provincial government has ignored First Nations' clear opposition to facilitating separatist movements. This is particularly pointed regarding the Alberta Prosperity Project, which was greenlit by Elections Alberta earlier this month to begin collecting signatures for its petition.
The nation asserts that the government's actions perform an end-run around clearly defined treaty obligations with the federal Crown. These treaties predate the creation of Alberta in 1905. The statement raises the alarm about pursuing separation at a time when Canada is vulnerable to pressures like proposed annexation and economic warfare from an increasingly bellicose United States.
In contrast to the separatist petition, a rival petition from the Alberta Forever Canada group gathered 456,000 signatures in support of a question asking if Alberta should remain within Canada.
By vowing legal action, the Blood Tribe is positioning itself on the front lines of a constitutional and political battle, framing the issue as one of upholding treaty rights and national unity against what it deems an "unconscionable" provincial policy direction.
