Saddle Lake Cree Nation is moving to establish a safe haven for gender-affirming care, aiming to push back against Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s government. Chief Dale Steinhauer frames the move as a response to what he calls a dehumanizing law, insisting that health care remains protected under treaty rights.
The community, centered in Saddle Lake, seeks to create a protected space for gender-affirming medical services, according to the report. A two-spirit physician from the area, Dr. James Makokis, is highlighted as part of the push behind the initiative. The announcement positions the plan as a direct challenge to provincial policy, with the nation asserting that health care is safeguarded by its treaty obligations.
Details on the specific mechanism, location, or timeline for establishing the safe haven were not disclosed. The report emphasizes that Saddle Lake Cree Nation intends to proceed despite opposition from the provincial government, presenting the move as a principled stand in defense of Indigenous health rights and autonomy over medical care decisions.
Officials did not provide further comment beyond the assertion that the initiative is a response to the current laws and that it aligns with the nation’s interpretation of treaty protections. The story highlights the broader context of discussions around gender-affirming care in Alberta, but it remains focused on the Saddle Lake Cree Nation’s stated objectives and its leadership’s framing of the issue.
