The Government of Canada and the Whitecap Dakota First Nation took another step towards Reconciliation today, with the signing of the historic Framework Agreement for a Whitecap Dakota Treaty.

“Today’s Framework Agreement commits us to collaborate on the next step: a Canada-Whitecap Dakota Treaty that fully reconciles our relationship with the Crown and Government through honourable and practical arrangements,” said Darcy Bear, Chief of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation.

He added that the historical military and trade alliances with the British Crown dating back to the 1700s helped to create Canada.

Whitecap, which sits just south of Saskatoon, is not currently part of any Treaty. In the 1870s, Dakota Chief Whitecap was present at both Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 discussions, but was not invited to be a signatory to those Treaties.

“The Government is honoured to be signing this historic Agreement, setting the stage for a Whitecap Dakota Treaty and a true nation-to-nation relationship,” said Carolyn Bennett, minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs.

“Together we are charting a path forward that supports their vision of greater self-determination and a sustainable, self-reliant community.”

(Photo: Whitecap Dakota Chief Darcy Bear with OTC Executive Director Harry Lafond at today's signing)