Alberta NDP asks Smith to apologize for Indigenous comments

The Alberta NDP is asking Premier Danielle Smith to apologize after comments she made about Indigenous People last week.

In a video posted to Twitter Friday, Smith said Indigenous People and “people around the world” united to found Canada.

“Many years ago, the Indigenous People of this land, and those that came from across the world, united to tame an unforgiving frontier, ensuring prosperity for countless future generations,” Smith said.

“It was their duty to support one another as neighbours, and to build this country together, developing democratic institutions that would yield good and stable governance.”

“An apology in this instance is necessary and should have already been issued,” said NDP Leader Rachel Notley in a statement.

Some critics have called Smith’s words misleading and insulting.

Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley is asking Smith to correct the comments.

“Only then, by acknowledging this horrible mistake or attempt at outright erasure of history, can we begin to walk a path to reconciliation in which Indigenous People can prosper, can see themselves represented in the education taught to kids, can feel supported and cared for when accessing public health care and so much more,” said Notley in a statement.

She added the NDP supports “Indigenous communities and the Calls To Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”

READ MORE: Alberta Premier Smith under fire for Indigenous comments

“Indigenous People deserve authentic and meaningful reconciliation and that starts with the honest and informed acceptance of the history of colonialism and residential schools,” Notley’s statement continued. “There must be acknowledgement of the pain created by a Canadian premier so clearly erasing or dismissing that history to help drive a political agenda.”

The office of the premier said in a statement Smith responded on her radio show on Saturday.

“I’m happy to (discuss) our partnership with First Nations, which I feel very proud of (and) I think our province has really been a pioneer in our relationship with First Nations. This part of the world would not have been opened up if our First Nation partners had not been willing to trade with us…and develop a vibrant industry,” the statement reads.

“We would not have been able to settle here if they hadn’t been willing to sign Treaties 6, 7, and 8. Now there has been a long history of us not living up to the commitments in those Treaties and we are making…historical reparations for the errors that we made. We have to ensure that as we go forward as partners that (Indigenous Albertans) are able to fully participate in all of our economic activity. And I value that partnership. So you will hear me talk a lot about Alberta’s First Nations because I don’t want people to forget that history. I want people to understand that this is an equal partnership and we’ve got to do our part to make amends for the errors of the past.”

-With files from Henna Saeed