On Friday the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations introduced Bill C-51 in the House of Commons and if passed it will give the green light to A Self-Government Treaty Recognizing the Whitecap Dakota Nation south of Saskatoon. The Treaty was co-developed with Whitecap Dakota Nation and a government news release says it received broad support from its members.

This Treaty formally recognizes Whitecap Dakota Nation as an “Aboriginal Peoples of Canada” and affirms their inherent right to self-government under the Constitution Act, 1982.

This Self-Government Treaty recognizes Whitecap’s law-making powers on their reserve lands in over 30 areas. This includes governance, land management, natural resources, business development, membership, cultural matters, language revitalization and preservation, education, financial management and accountability, health and social services.

The news release describes Whitecap Dakota Nation’s Treaty as a major step for Whitecap to move out from under the Indian Act, implement their right to self-government and ensure they have increased control over the decisions affecting their community.

Background:

• Self-government negotiations between the parties began in 2009 and concluded in April 2023.
• A Whitecap Advisory Committee of elders, youth, women and community members helped to shape the agreement and ensure the process protected First Nation perspectives, culture and customs.
• The self-government Treaty was approved by Whitecap members in an initial vote that took place on October 6-7, 2022, with 92 percent of those who voted voting in favour.
• The Treaty was later amended by the parties in April 2023 to formally recognize Whitecap Dakota Nation as one of the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada and to affirm its inherent right to self-government.
• The Treaty incorporates two new key elements to provide greater clarity and alignment with the Whitecap Dakota Nation’s vision for self-government in a way that better meets their distinct circumstances, goals and priorities.
• Following further community approval, the self-government Treaty was signed May 2,2023. The next step is federal legislation to bring the self-government Treaty into effect.
• The First Nation will also need to pass their own laws to create and run their new governance system.
• This work will be supported by increased funding to the First Nation to carry out their new responsibilities and invest in community priorities for a better future.