Saddle Lake Cree Nation pushed back against Alberta’s rules on gender affirming care

The Saddle Lake Cree Nation used its treaty rights with Canada to establish gender affirming care and protections for medical professionals in the field. 

The announcement last week came in response to Alberta’s ban on gender affirming care. The First Nation asserted Canada’s provision under Treaty 6, which guarantees “that a medicine chest shall be kept at the house of each Indian Agent for the use and benefit of the Indians.”

CTV News reports that the Assembly of Treaty Chiefs from Nos. 6, 7, and 8, and the Blackfoot Confederacy, passed an emergency resolution this week to support Saddle Lake Cree’s decision. 

Saddle Lake Cree Nation issued a news release, cited by CTV, saying, “This support from Treaty relatives sends an important message: Saddle Lake is not standing alone. When one Treaty Nation exercises its jurisdiction, we strengthen Treaty for all of our Nations and future generations.”

Saddle Lake Cree Nation Chief Dale Steinhauer outlined next steps that include creating a licensure program for clinicians that provide gender affirming care. She also celebrated that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has taken a “hands off approach” to the Saddle Lake Cree’s decision on gender affirming care.