Alberta Is on Treaty Land: What That Means for Truth and Reconciliation 

Did you know Alberta is on Treaty land?  
On many organizations’ websites, including Homeward Trust’s, you’ll find a land acknowledgment. At events across Edmonton and Canada, there’s often a pause to recognize the Indigenous Peoples whose land we gather on.  

But if you’ve ever wondered why we say these acknowledgments, this blog post if for you. 

For National Indigenous History Month, we’re exploring what it means to live on Treaty land and how this connects to our shared responsibility for truth and reconciliation. 

What Are Treaties? 

A treaty is a formal agreement between the Crown, as represented by the Government of Canada, and an Indigenous Government. It is a legally binding, nation-to-nation agreement that affirms the rights, responsibilities, and relationships between the Canadian Government and Indigenous nations (Government of Canada) [1].  

Treaties with Indigenous peoples include both: 

• historic treaties with First Nations (starting as far back as 1701) focused on the transfer of land and resources to the Crown in exchange for certain rights and benefits. 

• modern treaties, on the other hand, focus on self-government and the long-term protection of Indigenous rights in a way that reflects the current legal and political environment. 
• The Métis Nation of Alberta self-government agreement was signed in 2023 and recognizes the Métis Nation within Alberta has an inherent right to self-government as recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government has jurisdiction over its internal and core governance matters, including Citizenship, elections and administration and formalizes our Métis government as an Indigenous governing body. This agreement puts into place an enduring, nation-to-nation, government-to-government relationship with Canada through a modern-day treaty. 

Treaties were meant to be sacred and lasting promises, unfortunately, many Treaties have been broken, misunderstood, or ignored by governments over time. These issues are complex and are not easily resolved. Through vehicles such as Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination discussion tables, Canada and treaty First Nations are exploring ways to advance treaty rights and interests. 

How This Connects to Truth and Reconciliation  

Truth and Reconciliation means facing Canada’s colonial past and its ongoing impact, from residential schools to the systemic inequalities that persist today. In 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its final report, which included 94 Calls to Action for the Canadian government to address these wrongs (Reconciliation Education) [3]. Many of these calls focus on educating Canadians about Treaties, Indigenous rights, and the roles we all play in reconciliation. View the full list of Calls to Action.   

Living on Treaty land means living within a shared promise, a promise that has often been broken. Reconciliation begins when we choose to understand, honour, and act on that promise.  

Learn more: 

• Learn about the Treaty territory you live in. In Alberta, we are on Treaty 6, 7, and 8 territory with Edmonton specifically on Treaty 6 land. Treaty 6, signed in 1876, covers central Alberta and Saskatchewan and includes 16 First Nations.  

• View the maps for the First Nations Reserves and Métis Nation of Alberta Districts. Then learn more about the 138 First Nations Reserves across three Alberta treaty areas and the eight Métis Settlements located in Alberta including how they are an important to the province’s economic and cultural fabric.  

• Read the Treaty texts and explore what they meant to both the Crown and the Indigenous signatories.  

• Celebrate, participate and engage with the rich cultures, traditions and events including the local National Indigenous History month events here: homewardtrust.ca/honouring-indigenous-history/ 

• Support the implementation of the TRC’s Calls to Action in your area.  

As we observe National Indigenous History Month, remember, Land acknowledgments are not just ceremonial, they are a call to shared responsibility, relationship, and a commitment to walk together toward truth and reconciliation.

A note on protocol: land acknowledgments are intended for settlers to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land they inhabit. As such, it’s inappropriate to ask an Indigenous person to perform this acknowledgment.