Darcy Bear, chief of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. (Whitecap Dakota First Nation)

By Steve Seto, CKOM News Staff

Whitecap Dakota to become first self-governing Indigenous nation in Saskatchewan

Oct 13, 2022 | 2:09 PM

It’s a first for Saskatchewan.

The Whitecap Dakota First Nation, located south of Saskatoon, has voted to become a self-governing Indigenous nation, with the move garnering 92 per cent support.

Chief Darcy Bear, along with Councillors Dwayne Eagle and Frank Royal, announced the results from the Oct. 6 and 7 in-person and online vote on Tuesday.

It took a decade to consult members and negotiate with the federal government to prepare arrangements to draft a constitution that would establish the Whitecap Dakota Government within Canada’s constitutional framework.

Bear said in a statement that he’s thankful for the support, and the commitment from the First Nation to no longer be under the control of the Indian Act.

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He said the nation’s members are asserting an inherent right, and establishing broader law-making powers and fiscal certainty to continue to build the nation.

Marc Miller, minister for crown-Indigenous relations, congratulated the First Nation on the historic decision, saying it was an important step in moving the community forward.

While the move is a first for Saskatchewan, is not a first in Canada as 78 other First Nations are self-governing through 27 different agreements.

The new arrangement for Whitecap Dakota is likely to take effect next fall.