“This is about more than one health service,” officials wrote. “It is about Indigenous sovereignty. It is about our responsibility to care for one another.”
Big cheers for the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, for exercising the “medicine” clause in their treaty with the Canadian government and pushing back against the provincial government’s care ban.
I don’t know if other tribal treaties include a clause like this, but perhaps the principles of autonomy can be interpreted to include medical autonomy.
I wish them very well and welcome their courage. They made the correct call.
"although in both First Nations and reservations, individuals can still be bound by state or federal criminal law." <-- I hope the bad guys don't find a way to bite them on the a$$ with that.
The Medicine Chest clause for Treaty 6 is an obligation by the Crown/Federal government to Treaty 6 Nations, including Saddle Lake Cree Nation. It would be very, very unwise for the province of Alberta to challenge this. Cheers and good wishes.
I applaud the Saddle Lake Cree Nation of Alberta for standing up for its transgender youth and taking a courageous stand against bigoted laws that threaten their rights, dignity, and well-being.
This is what leadership looks like: protecting your young people instead of sacrificing them to political agendas and prejudice.
I only wish more First Nations across our country would take the same stand and make it unmistakably clear that transgender youth belong, deserve protection, and will not be used as political targets.
No child should have to fight their own community for the right to exist as who they are. Protecting transgender youth is not about politics—it is about humanity, dignity, and standing up for your own people.
I see✨ shines & glimmers ✨…the light of hope, justice, and love in our midst. This weary world and my own beleaguered heart ♥️ can find a reason to keep faith and continue moving forward.
So appreciate the hundreds of generations of First Nations culture. If you're in Ottawa, plan to visit the Musee de Civilisation right across the river in Hull. You won't be disappointed. Histories both heartbreaking and inspiring. Thank you for the coverage, S. Baum!
Alberta is the Texas of Canada. They don't even know why they hate transgender people but they just do because that's what MAGA does and Canada's conservatives have no more coherent or articulate message than THAT. They would probably start tariff wars if they could for the same lack of rationale.
Big cheers for the Saddle Lake Cree Nation, for exercising the “medicine” clause in their treaty with the Canadian government and pushing back against the provincial government’s care ban.
I don’t know if other tribal treaties include a clause like this, but perhaps the principles of autonomy can be interpreted to include medical autonomy.
Any resistance is appreciated.
I wish them very well and welcome their courage. They made the correct call.
"although in both First Nations and reservations, individuals can still be bound by state or federal criminal law." <-- I hope the bad guys don't find a way to bite them on the a$$ with that.
Thank you Baum.
The Medicine Chest clause for Treaty 6 is an obligation by the Crown/Federal government to Treaty 6 Nations, including Saddle Lake Cree Nation. It would be very, very unwise for the province of Alberta to challenge this. Cheers and good wishes.
I am not familiar with the details of the laws involved. I hope their autonomy is on par with treaties between fully sovereign entities.
I applaud the Saddle Lake Cree Nation of Alberta for standing up for its transgender youth and taking a courageous stand against bigoted laws that threaten their rights, dignity, and well-being.
This is what leadership looks like: protecting your young people instead of sacrificing them to political agendas and prejudice.
I only wish more First Nations across our country would take the same stand and make it unmistakably clear that transgender youth belong, deserve protection, and will not be used as political targets.
No child should have to fight their own community for the right to exist as who they are. Protecting transgender youth is not about politics—it is about humanity, dignity, and standing up for your own people.
Beautifully written. I wholeheartedly concur.
Well said, Mike. I love their tribal identity as “two-spirit young people.” Sharing this wonderful article:
8 Two-Spirit Artists, Activists, and Healers Showing the World Queerness is Indigenous https://www.them.us/story/two-spirit-indigenous-activists
Please can First Nation People run our communities (again)?
Thank you 🙏 for this report.
I see✨ shines & glimmers ✨…the light of hope, justice, and love in our midst. This weary world and my own beleaguered heart ♥️ can find a reason to keep faith and continue moving forward.
So appreciate the hundreds of generations of First Nations culture. If you're in Ottawa, plan to visit the Musee de Civilisation right across the river in Hull. You won't be disappointed. Histories both heartbreaking and inspiring. Thank you for the coverage, S. Baum!
Excellent. Thank you Saddle Lake Cree Nation
Alberta is the Texas of Canada. They don't even know why they hate transgender people but they just do because that's what MAGA does and Canada's conservatives have no more coherent or articulate message than THAT. They would probably start tariff wars if they could for the same lack of rationale.