Today, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Jennifer Bone and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations, marked a historic investment in a new water treatment plant to meet the community's water infrastructure needs. Through the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund, the Government of Canada has provided total of $12 million to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.

“Improving water accessibility and quality for residents is a priority. Our existing water treatment system cannot support our community's expected population and expansion areas. Our residents need a modern water treatment plant to get safe and reliable water. We want all houses and businesses to be connected to the new plant's piped water."

Chief Jennifer Bone
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation

“We’re committed to closing the infrastructure and housing gaps faced by Indigenous communities in Canada. The funding allocated to Sioux Valley Dakota Nation announced today will help to support a brighter future for community members, for generations to come.”

The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations

• Sioux Valley Dakota Nation hired Associated Engineering for pre-design, which confirmed that the present water treatment facility has reached the end of its service life and cannot fulfil current and future demands. The larger facility will provide safe and reliable water for the community's rising requirements and the UV primary disinfection improves water safety and compliance.

• The exact design of the new water treatment plant is 90% complete and on schedule. Building is estimated to take 52–68 weeks.

• Friesen Drillers hydrogeological drilling and testing confirmed greater municipal water supply capacity, assuring the new facility will satisfy flow requirements. Groundwater samples also showed good-quality fresh water.

• Budget 2021 provided distinctions-based investments of $6 billion over five years, starting in 2021–22, with $388.9 million ongoing investments to support infrastructure in Indigenous communities, including:

  • $4.3 billion over four years, starting in 2021–22, for the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund, a distinctions-based fund to support immediate demands, as prioritized by Indigenous partners and with shovel-ready infrastructure projects in First Nations, including with Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities.
  • $1.7 billion over five years, starting in 2021–22, with $388.9 million in ongoing investments to support the operation and maintenance of First Nation community infrastructure on reserves.

Associated links

• Sioux Valley Dakota Nation
• Government of Canada announces funding to support infrastructure action plans with Indigenous Self-Government and Modern Treaty Partners
• Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund

For more information, media may contact:

Aissatou Diop
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations
Email: aissatou.diop@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

CIRNAC Media Relations:
Email: RCAANC.Media.CIRNAC@sac-isc.gc.ca
Phone: 819-934-2302

Kimberley McKay
Executive Assistant
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation
Phone: 204-855-2671
Kimberley.mckay@svdngovernance.com

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