Indigenous leaders say Trump's threats to make Canada a 51st state challenges inherent sovereignty
'Our message is clear: our sovereignty isn't negotiable,' says Sask. First Nation Chief
Indigenous leaders in Saskatchewan see the U.S. president's threats to make Canada a 51st state as uninformed about Treaty agreements and First Nations' inherent sovereignty.
Since before his inauguration, President Donald Trump has continuously made comments suggesting Canada is so dependent on its trade and security relationship with the U.S. that it ought to become a state.
Trump has even gone so far as to refer to the Canadian Prime Minister as "Governor Justin Trudeau." Trump's taunts have elicited fiery reactions from the Canadian leader.
Trudeau has repeatedly insisted that Trump's claims will never come to fruition.
Chief Tanya Aguilar-Antiman of Mosquito, Grizzly Bear's Head, Lean Man Assiniboine Nation finds Trump's claims "insulting."
"It's clearly evident that Trump is lacking knowledge of treaties," she told CBC.
Mosquito, Grizzly Bear's Head, Lean Man First Nation, a conglomeration of three nations that were a part of either Treaty 4 or Treaty 6, is located about 115 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.
In a long statement, Chief Rodger Redman of Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation, located northeast of Regina, said hearing Trump's comments about Canada becoming a 51st state led him to pause and consider Indigenous history of resistance.
"Our connection to these lands isn't just historical — it's living, breathing," Redman said, in part.
"Our ancestors fought to protect these lands. We honour them by ensuring that our sovereignty remains intact today. So, when I hear talk of a 51st state, I don't just hear politics — I hear a reminder of why we stand strong, why we continue to assert our rights."
Redman said while the community is open to collaboration, especially on cross-border issues, it has to be done respectfully.
"Our message is clear: our sovereignty isn't negotiable."
That issue of autonomy is also important to Chief Robert Head from the Peter Chapman Band, a part of the James Smith Cree Nation located 165 km northeast of Saskatoon.
"It doesn't come from a president, or a prime minister, it comes from the Creator himself, so that's a right that can't be taken away," Head said of Indigenous Peoples' sovereignty.
"It's our right that we're born with."
Head believes Trump is only attempting to get a reaction from Canadians and is not worried about his threats.
'We'll always be Canada'
David Howard Cote, a Saulteaux member of the Key First Nation — located 36 kilometres northeast of Canora — said that if Trump were to try to make Canada the 51st state, Indigenous people would have to fight to have their inherent rights recognized.
"Maybe he would, no pun intended here, try to trump us out. So, you know, that would definitely change the landscape for us here as First Nations people of Canada," Cote said.
He said he pays attention to what Indigenous people in the U.S. face and feels that if Canada was ever annexed, First Nations people here would face more hardship as well.
"A lot of those First Nations are without clean, healthy drinking water. Very poverty stricken. Housing is, you know, like in a third world country. And you know, that's the United States of America. They claim to be the greatest country in the world. But I see there are Indigenous people there suffering."
Cote said there is a silver lining. He said Trump's threats have had a galvanizing effect on Canadians, and he is proud of his country.
"For every bad, there's something good that has come out of this. Like bringing Canadian people a little more together. You know, to stand united. And Indigenous people … we're in this fight all together," Cote said.
"I believe we'll always be Canada. We're here to stay as a nation."
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With files from Laura Sciarpelletti