Whitecap Dakota readies to ‘take rightful place’
First Nation begins treaty negotiations with Ottawa, signs agreement
A new framework agreement between a Saskatchewan First Nation and the Canadian government sets the stage for what would be the first new treaty signed in the province since the beginning of the 20th century.
Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear and Carolyn Bennett, the federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, signed the agreement Monday at the First Nation south of Saskatoon. Both described it as the first step toward a possible Whitecap Dakota treaty.
Bear said the six-page document builds on more than 230 years of shared history, including a military alliance dating back to the American Revolution and concurrent promise by British representatives to protect Dakota territory.
“We’ve had a long-standing relationship with the British Crown,” Bear told reporters following the signing. “At the time of treaty signing, you had to be a ‘British Indian,’ and how much more of a British Indian are you when our ancestors helped make Canada a country?”
The negotiations are expected to result in a term sheet outlining what the First Nation wants in the treaty, which will then be presented to cabinet, Bennett said. Cabinet can then provide a mandate to get the community what it needs, she added.
“In what the prime minister calls recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership, this is the way that partners deal with one another, as opposed to the rather tilted power differential that existed for far too long,” Bennett said.
According to the agreement, the negotiation mandate includes recognition of Whitecap Dakota’s rightful place in Canada, and an acknowledgment of contributions made by the Dakota in the founding and development of the country.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY
The mandate also includes “appropriate measures to realize equitable treatment and benefits as between (Whitecap Dakota First Nation) and Treaty First Nations,” as well as resources — including land — to “support a sustainable community.”
Unlike most of Saskatchewan’s First Nations, which were allocated land under six numbered treaties, Whitecap Dakota’s land was provided by a federal order in council issued in 1889. Bear said he hopes to increase that allocation to 128 acres per person from 16 acres.
“We want to take our rightful place and be a part of the economy,” Bear said. “You look at Whitecap, there is still so much need here as far as recreation facilities, more economic development and creating a sustainable community so we’re not reliant on government resources.”
Another significant opportunity involves economic development both on and off the First Nation, Bear said. Because more economic activity leads not only to jobs but more taxes, “when we’re doing well, everyone’s doing well,” he said.
The document states the parties agree to develop a negotiation mandate within 180 days. Bear said he hopes the First Nation and the government can move “aggressively” toward developing the term sheet, and ultimately signing a treaty.
Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand, who attended the signing ceremony, described the agreement as a “milestone” and praised Bear’s decision to begin negotiating a treaty on behalf of his people. He said it will improve their quality of life and the local economy.
“We want to see everybody going down this path for self-reliance, self-sufficiency and self-determination.”
All but four of the 70 First Nations in Saskatchewan are parties to one of the six numbered treaties covering the province. The most recent of those treaties, Treaty No. 10, was signed in 1906. The other non-signatories are Wood Buffalo, Wahpeton Dakota and Wood Mountain.