Bill C-45 protest blockades northern Alberta highway

A blockade across Highway 2, east of High Prairie, brought traffic to a halt as hundreds of people protested a proposed federal omnibus bill.

"It's the First Nations people standing up for what they know is right and just," said Rodney Chalifoux, the band administrator for the Driftpile Cree Nation.

"They need to start speaking with us like we're regular human beings."

He says the blockade, which lasted around two hours and drew around 400 supporters, aimed to bring attention to changes the bill would make to the federal Indian Act.

Bill C-45 proposes changes to management of reserve lands.

Chalifoux says the Driftpile band is also concerned about changes to environmental protections in the act.

During the blockade, protesters passed out pamphlets to the waiting motorists.

Chalifoux says the blockade may annoy some, but thinks First Nations people are being ignored on the issue.

"I know there are going to be some people that will be upset with the blockade but, at the same time, we're not being heard as a people."