Parliament approves legislation on first self-government agreement in the prairies
OTTAWA, March 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development announced today that the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Governance Act received Royal Assent in Parliament, setting the stage for Sioux Valley Dakota Nation to build a healthier and more prosperous future for their community. Under the Governance Agreement, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is poised to become the first self-governing First Nation in the prairies and the 34th Aboriginal community in Canada to become self-governing.
Achieved through negotiations, this self-government agreement will provide Sioux Valley Dakota Nation with greater control over its own affairs. The agreement creates a governance regime that is more transparent, accountable and 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.
Quick Facts
- Under self-government, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will be able to make their own laws in over 50 key subject areas, including governance, economic and social development, education, and housing.
- Now that the related federal legislation has received Royal Assent, provincial legislation is also needed in order to bring the agreement into effect.
- Once given effect, this self-government agreement will provide Sioux Valley Dakota Nation with greater control over their affairs and bring them out from under a large number of the Indian Act's provisions.
- 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.
- The Government of Canada has now concluded self-government agreements with 34 Aboriginal communities.
Quotes
"Our Government is firmly committed to strengthening relationships with First Nations. That is why we continue to take action to support more self-sufficient and prosperous First Nation communities. We believe that self-government lays the foundation for reconciling relationships and helps lead to an improved quality of life for First Nation people. The future is bright for Sioux Valley Dakota Nation."
Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
"On behalf of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, I am proud to have participated in the hearing of the Senate Standing Committee for Aboriginal Peoples and welcomed the genuine interest and questions from the senators regarding our governance arrangements. Our hope is that our efforts to attain self-governance will not only benefit Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, but will create new opportunities for other First Nations in Canada who wish to enter into and develop their own agreements. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will strive to maintain the positive relationships we have developed with the Government of Canada in the House of Commons and the Canadian Senate, and we look forward to continuing cooperative dialogue and embarking on a bright future founded on a strong nation-to-nation relationship."
Chief Vincent Tacan
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation
Related Products
Fact Sheet: Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Self-Government Agreement
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Governance Agreement and Tripartite Agreement
Associated Links
SOURCE: Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Erica Meekes
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation
Chief Vincent Tacan
204-512-0845
Bruce Slusar
Negotiator
306-931-3737
You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds or e-mail. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.aandc.gc.ca/subscriptions.
Photos: Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Self-Government Signing Ceremony
Video: Setting Our Course: Yukon First Nation Self-Government
Video: Westbank, British Columbia: A Self-Governing First Nation
Video: Nisga'a Dancing in Both Worlds
Share this article