Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta will now be known as Treaty 8 Sovereign Nations. The change was made by a unanimous vote on July 30, 2026 during the Honouring Our Treaty gathering and Annual General Meeting on Woodland Cree First Nation territory. The Dene Tha’ First Nation in High Level is among the member nations affected by the new name.
The group stated that the name change responds to the ‘unprecedented political climate being fostered by the current Alberta government’ around the separatist movement. Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi said, ‘Our Nations were sovereign long before the creation of Alberta, and no government has the authority to diminish our Treaty rights. This name reflects who we have always been: sovereign Nations united by Treaty No. 8.’
Treaty No. 8 was signed on June 21, 1899, six years before Alberta became a province. The treaty covers about 841,487 square kilometres across northern Alberta, northwest Saskatchewan, northeastern British Columbia, and the southwestern Northwest Territories. Member nations include the Dene Tha’ First Nation, with communities in Chateh, Bushe River, and Meander River.
The name change comes after multiple First Nations, including Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, won court decisions that paused a proposed referendum on Alberta independence. Courts found that the Alberta government failed to properly consult First Nations about the potential impact on treaty rights. Dene Tha’ First Nation has not issued a separate statement about the name change, but as a member nation, the new name applies to its communities and leadership.
Treaty 8 Sovereign Nations also signed a water protection agreement with the Dene Nation on July 29, 2026. Grand Chief Mercredi said the name change sends a clear message about defending treaty rights. ‘This historic change sends a clear message that we will stand together and defend our Treaty, our people, and our future,’ he said.
