Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Whitecap Dakota Nation
Today, Chief Darcy Bear of Whitecap Dakota Nation and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced that Bill C-51 received Royal Assent in Parliament on June 22, 2023, which will bring into effect A Self-Government Treaty Recognizing the Whitecap Dakota Nation / Wapaha Ska Dakota Oyate.
This Self-Government Treaty was developed in full partnership with Whitecap Dakota Nation and received broad support from its members. The Treaty recognizes Whitecap Dakota Nation as one of the "Aboriginal Peoples of Canada" and affirms their inherent right to self-government under section 35 of Canada's Constitution Act, 1982. Whitecap Dakota Nation's Treaty also recognizes Whitecap's law-making powers on its reserve lands. This includes law-making powers covering over 30 different areas, ranging from land and resource management to programs and services delivered to their members. This Self-Government Treaty will also establish new arrangements to modernize and renew Whitecap Dakota Nation's relationship with Canada and ensure Whitecap has increased control over its own affairs. This includes how the First Nation preserves, maintains and enhances their culture and builds on their many successes in community, business and economic development.
The Treaty marks an important step for Whitecap to move out from under the Indian Act and implement their inherent right to self-government and their vision of a thriving future for their community. It also establishes a stronger and more stable fiscal relationship between the Whitecap Dakota Nation and the Government of Canada.
Canada is committed to working with Indigenous partners to restore Nation-to-Nation relationships, implement their inherent right to self-determination and support communities as they move out from under the Indian Act and transition to self-government.
