King expresses 'concern' over Alberta separatists in meeting with First Nations chiefs

King Charles III has "expressed his concern" over the Alberta separatist movement in a meeting with Indigenous leaders at Buckingham Palace, according to a delegation of First Nations chiefs that travelled to London.

Grand Chief Joey Pete of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations said he and other leaders made the King aware of the "threat" the movement represents to treaty agreements signed by First Nations and the Crown more than a century ago.

He added that the King was "very interested in what we had to say" and had "committed to learning more".

It comes as a grassroots separatist movement in the west Canadian province gathers signatures to force a succession referendum in October.

First Nations leaders in Alberta have voiced their opposition to the separation movement, and some have filed legal challenges.

During the meeting with King Charles on Wednesday, First Nations chiefs asked the monarch to issue a Royal Proclamation that would affirm their treaties with the Crown and the rights that are afforded under them, they said.

"It was a significant meeting, as Treaty partners and equals," said Grand Chief Pete in a statement.

He added that the King was "very interested in what we had to say and asked a lot of questions".

The BBC has reached out to Buckingham Palace for comment.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to meet King Charles on Monday during a trip to the UK.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Carney said the King had had a "fulsome" discussion with the chiefs, adding: "There are many subjects for him and I to raise."

Laws that govern the relationship between Canada's First Nations and the Canadian government are set out by treaties, or agreements, that were signed with the Crown, in some cases prior to the creation of Canada.

Those treaty rights are protected by the Canadian constitution, which recognises and affirms them.

One Alberta First Nation — Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation (SLCN) — has sued the Alberta government for allowing separatists to gather enough signatures in support of a referendum, arguing that the petition violates its treaty rights.

"Alberta has treated SLCN as though they are chattel on the land, merely an afterthought in forced negotiations, not the first step in any potential secession," the statement of claim said.

"Alberta's secession cannot happen without First Nation consent to change a party to Treaty No. 8," the lawsuit stated.

Earlier this week, a group of First Nations leaders gathered at the Alberta legislature in Edmonton to call on the provincial premier, Danielle Smith, to quash any possible succession referendum.

They also asked Alberta lawmakers to hold a no-confidence vote against Smith's government on the matter, though an effort to propose one was promptly shut down by members of Smith's party.

Alberta's indigenous relations minister, Rajan Sawhney, told reporters on Wednesday that she would like to meet with Chief Pete to discuss the alleged treaty violations, but added: "At this point I don't agree with these allegations."

In an interview with CTV News on Wednesday, Chief Pete said he also told the King about the "hardships" and "division" he believes the separatist movement has caused in Alberta.

The movement, led by a group called the Alberta Prosperity Project, argues the province would be better off financially if it were to form its own sovereign country.

Separatist sentiments in Alberta date back decades, and are rooted in a belief among some that the province has been underrepresented at the federal level, despite being home to much of Canada's oil wealth.

Under Alberta's Referendum Act, organisers must collect 177,732 valid signatures by May for a referendum question to be verified and potentially approved.

Members of the Alberta Prosperity Project previously told the BBC they believe they will be able to gather more than the needed signatures to force a referendum.