Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Whitecap Dakota Nation
The Government of Canada is working with First Nation partners to restore respectful nation-to-nation relationships, recognize their inherent right to self-determination and support communities as they move out from under the Indian Act and transition to self-government.
Today, Chief Darcy Bear of Whitecap Dakota Nation and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations signed A Self-Government Treaty Recognizing the Whitecap Dakota Nation / Wapaha Ska Dakota Oyate.
Co-developed by Canada and Whitecap Dakota Nation, this Treaty recognizes the Whitecap Dakota Nation as one of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada, affirming their inherent right to self-government under the Constitution Act, 1982. Whitecap Dakota Nation's Treaty focuses on self-government and is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan. The parties have committed to build on this new Treaty relationship founded in reconciliation of Whitecap Dakota's rights in Canada.
By signing this Treaty, the Government of Canada recognizes that Whitecap Dakota Nation has jurisdiction and law-making powers on their reserve lands over governance, land, natural resources, membership, cultural matters, language revitalization and preservation, education, financial management and accountability, health and social services. Through this Treaty, the Whitecap Dakota Nation can build on its success in creating economic opportunities and enhance community well-being for the benefit of its members for generations to come.
Whitecap Dakota Nation's Treaty is an important opportunity for Whitecap to move out from under the Indian Act, implement their right to self-government and ensure increased First Nation control over the decisions affecting their community.
