Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Launches National Fundraising Campaign to Recover Legal Costs and Continue Defending Treaty Rights

(July 14, 2026 – Fort Chipewyan, AB) Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) has launched a national GoFundMe campaign to help recover more than $200,000 in legal costs incurred while defending Treaty rights in response to Alberta’s separatist movement.

The fundraising campaign follows ACFN’s legal action after Alberta separatists advanced efforts toward an Alberta separation referendum without consulting First Nations, despite the profound implications such a proposal would have for constitutionally protected Treaty rights. This legal action was successful, preventing an unconstitutional referendum and instead forcing the separatist initiative down the path of a non-binding referendum.

Treaties 6, 7 and 8 are not provincial agreements. They are constitutionally protected agreements between First Nations and the Crown that form part of the foundation of Canada. Any proposal to separate Alberta from Canada raises significant legal and constitutional questions that directly affect those Treaties and the rights they protect.

“Treaties are not political bargaining chips,” said Chief Allan Adam. “They are sacred agreements that existed long before the Province of Alberta. When those agreements are threatened, we have both a legal obligation and a moral responsibility to stand up and defend them.”

“These costs were not incurred for the benefit of Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation alone,” said Chief Adam. “We stood up for all Treaty Nations and for all Canadians by insisting that the rule of law and the Constitution be respected.”

While governments have access to public resources to advance their positions, First Nations are often required to bear significant legal costs simply to protect rights that are already recognized under Canada’s Constitution.

ACFN is inviting Canadians from across the country to support the campaign.

“Whether you are Indigenous or non-Indigenous, if you believe that Canada matters, that Treaties matter, that constitutional rights deserve protection, and that reconciliation requires action, we ask you to stand with us. This is about honouring the commitments that helped build Canada,” said Chief Adam.

Donations can be made by visiting: Honour the Treaties