By Kassandra Hornsby

First Nations rally against Bighorn Country plan

Feb 15, 2019 | 10:45 AM

A First Nations and Metis rally was held Wednesday night in Rocky Mountain House to oppose the province’s Bighorn Country proposal.

Close to 300 people participated in the rally to show support for the Indigenous peoples, who say they haven’t been consulted about the proposal, that treaties are in place and they haven’t sold the land.

Joey Pete, Sunchild First Nations Council member says his hopes for the rally were for the province to become aware that the First Nations and Metis people have rights to the land.

“The importance of this rally is unification and the togetherness that it brings and the one voice, one mind, one heart that we move together for collectively, not singling anyone out.”

Pete also says the land is for future generations to utilize and that the province can’t turn it into a park.

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“It’s going to have a cultural impact on us if this happens. We utilize that land, we live off that land, we respect that land.”

Earlier in the day, Pete says he received a call saying provincial ministers wanted to talk to First Nations leadership, but he doesn’t understand why they weren’t consulted at an earlier time.

Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon was among those in attendance at the rally and says the most important aspect was that it was held by the First Nations and Metis people.

“This is a significant message that the government should be listening to. That while they say they have been able to deal with the First Nation consultation appropriately, it’s pretty clear tonight that they have not been able to deal with it appropriately.”