Fact Sheet: Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Self-Government Agreement

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Overview

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, the Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba have concluded a self-government agreement that will provide Sioux Valley Dakota Nation greater control over its affairs.
The Governance Agreement and related agreements were signed by all parties in August 2013. With the signing of these agreements, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is poised to become the first self-governing First Nation in the Prairies. As the next steps, federal and then provincial legislation is needed to bring the agreements into effect. Canada introduced enabling legislation on December 5, 2013.
The self-government agreement provides for a renewed relationship between the governments of Canada, Manitoba and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation to promote greater self-sufficiency and unlock opportunities for community and economic development as well as business partnerships.
This is not a land claim agreement or treaty. With self-government, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation laws will apply on its reserve lands and will operate in harmony with federal and provincial laws within the Canadian constitutional framework.

What is Self-Government?

Unless they have negotiated self-government or other similar agreements, First Nations are currently governed by the Indian Act. The Indian Act establishes a limited and dependent form of local administration that is overseen by a federal Minister and does not take into account the specific circumstances of the community.
Self-government brings First Nations out from under the Indian Act, providing First Nations with greater control over decisions affecting their communities within the Canadian constitutional framework.
Negotiating and implementing self-government agreements is key to achieving reconciliation and rebuilding relationships with First Nation people in Canada. Self-government also promotes sound governance principles that can enhance economic development.
Once the self-government agreement with Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is brought into effect, the Government of Canada will have concluded 20 comprehensive self-government agreements with 34 Aboriginal communities.

Negotiation Milestones

Self-government negotiations between Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and the Government of Canada began in 1991.
The Government of Manitoba joined the table in 1993.
In 2001, Canada and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation signed a Comprehensive Agreement-in-Principle (AIP) and a corresponding Tripartite AIP with Manitoba. These AIPs set out the framework for negotiating the Governance Agreement and related agreements.
In June 2011, negotiators initialed draft agreements, which represented the conclusion of negotiations. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation members voted to approve these agreements on October 4, 2012.
These self-government agreements were signed on August 30, 2013. Learn more about the general steps in the process for negotiating self-government.

The Agreements: At a glance

There are two main agreements that set out the self-government arrangements negotiated between Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Canada and Manitoba.
The Governance Agreement between Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and Canada recognizes Sioux Valley Dakota Oyate Government and establishes a government-to-government relationship between Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and Canada. A second, the Tripartite Governance Agreement between Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Canada and Manitoba, formalizes Manitoba's recognition of and concurrence with the Governance Agreement and makes Manitoba a party to the self-government arrangements.
The parties have also negotiated a financial agreement and an implementation plan. Now that the agreements have been approved and signed by the parties, federal and then provincial legislation is needed to bring the agreements into effect. Canada introduced its enabling legislation on December 5, 2013. The goal is to have the related provincial and federal legislation come into effect on the same day.

Agreement Highlights

Once put into effect, this self-government agreement will provide Sioux Valley Dakota Nation greater control over the decisions that affect its community members. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will have law-making powers in more than 50 subject areas, including:

the structure, management and operations of Sioux Valley Dakota Oyate Government;
membership;
cultural matters;
elections;
financial administration;
the management of reserve lands, including natural resources and environmental assessment;
housing;
education, health and social development;
registration, licensing and regulation of businesses; and
public safety and order and the enforcement of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation laws.

Governance, Accountability and Reporting

The Governance Agreement sets out new arrangements that are based on a more respectful relationship between Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Canada and Manitoba. It ensures democratic accountability between the Sioux Valley Dakota Oyate Government and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation members. The agreement establishes a governance regime that is more transparent, accountable and more responsive to community needs and direction. This will help promote improved living conditions in the community and foster a positive climate for investment and economic development.
Accountability provisions are set out in the agreement and in the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Constitution, which was developed by Sioux Valley Dakota Nation through extensive consultation over several years and reaffirmed by members in the October 2012 vote.

Land and Economic Development

The Governance Agreement sets out a process for Sioux Valley Dakota Nation to take control over and pass laws relating to natural resource development and the environmental assessment of related projects on its reserve land base. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will also be able to register, license and regulate businesses on its reserve lands. These changes lay the groundwork for expanded economic development and business partnerships with the private sector on Sioux Valley Dakota Nation reserve lands.

Quick Facts: Looking ahead

While self-government is intended to replace the Indian Act's outdated governance and economic provisions, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation members will continue to be recognized and treated as Status Indians under the Act.
Self-government agreements are not treaties and do not affect Aboriginal or treaty rights.
Except for its membership laws, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation laws will apply only on the First Nation's reserve land base.
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation's laws will operate within the Canadian constitutional framework. Federal and provincial laws will operate in harmony with First Nation laws.
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms will apply. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation may not pass laws in certain areas where there are key federal interests, including criminal law. The Criminal Code continues to apply to protect the interests of all individuals on Sioux Valley Dakota Nation land.

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2016-12-14

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

We have archived this page and will not be updating it.

Fact Sheet: Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Self-Government Agreement

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