Indigenous treaty rights meet Alberta separation fight

The ongoing legal battle between the federal government and the province of Alberta over a proposed pipeline has brought to light some uncomfortable truths about Canada’s relationship with its indigenous peoples. At the heart of the dispute is an assertion by the province that it has a right to govern itself and exclude the federal government from certain regulatory powers—potentially including those related to pipelines. This claim, which is currently being challenged in court, intersects with long-standing issues surrounding treaty rights and jurisdiction. Indigenous leaders argue that the …