The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations says recent separatist rhetoric being spread amongst the western province’s is harmful, divisive, and breaches treaty rights.

The FSIN is referring to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s recent proposal to lower thresholds for citizen-initiated referendums, which could lead to a vote on separation.

In a written release, FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron stated that “Those that want to leave are free to do so, but all the lands, waters, and resources are First Nations, and were negotiated in the various treaties across Turtle Island. Our Treaties were and are still here long before the so-called western provinces became provinces.”

He continued that any separation process that fails to honour Canada’s treaties would violate both constitutional and international law.”