January 6, 2026
RED FM News Desk
Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation (SLCN) has filed a lawsuit against the Alberta government, arguing the province improperly allowed the Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) to begin collecting signatures for a referendum petition on Alberta separating from Canada.
The APP’s proposed referendum question — “Do you agree that the Province of Alberta should cease to be a part of Canada to become an independent state?” — was approved by Alberta’s chief electoral officer, Gordon McClure, shortly before Christmas.
In a statement of claim filed Monday, SLCN says it will ask the Alberta Court of King’s Bench to issue an urgent interim injunction to halt the petition process.
The First Nation, located in northern Alberta, is also seeking a court declaration that the petition violates Treaty 8, an agreement between First Nations and the Government of Canada that predates the creation of the province of Alberta.
According to the claim, SLCN argues Alberta does not have the authority to alter or undermine treaty relationships established with the federal government.
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