Signs and the flags of many nations filled Sir Winston Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton on Wednesday as roughly 200 First Nations leaders, community members and supporters gathered to oppose an attempt to force a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada.

Signs read “this is treaty land, honour the land, honour the people,” and “stand with First Nations,” as speakers stressed the ongoing relevance of treaty rights.

“We organized this event, you know, to bring some awareness to the non-Indigenous public as well,” said Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta Grand Chief Trevor Mercredi. “Make sure that they understand that our treaty is here to protect, and that our treaty is not some mythical document.