The Oilsands First Nation chiefs are happy that the old PC government has been ousted but they are still viewing Wildrose Leader Brian Jean with suspicion. According to Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation spokesperson Eriel Deranger “Our main concerns are focused on First Nation rights and we hope Brian Jean takes some sage advice from NDP leadership and works with us.” Premier-elect Rachel Notley acknowledged that there has been a lot of tension in the relationship that the government has with the aboriginals in Alberta when she made her victory speech, and vowed to work hard to repair this relationship. “The trust that we have been given tonight is a call to be better neighbours and better partners. I am looking forward to consulting with you and learning from you.”

Brian Jean has angered the Oilsands First Nation chiefs in the past with some of the policies that he enforced. In 2012 the relationship with Jean got even worse because the politician voiced support for the Navigable Waters and Protection Act. The Wildrose website states a promise to “promote partnerships with our First Nations and Metis peoples in the development of our provincial natural resources and overall economy” but does not provide any more specifics. The relationship with Danielle Smith was nonexistent, and there is hop that Notley can change this. Treaty 8 Grand Chief and Mikisew Cree First Nation chief Steve Courtoreille said “We felt we weren’t a priority in her agenda. We hope we’re a priority for Brian, because we’re certainly a priority for Premier Notley. We have to live with him and make sure we are on the same page. We need to find an area where we can all work together and build from there. He’s the opposition leader, so he has no choice. He needs to work with us. Whatever was in the past is in the past.”