“Land development is very important to them, their business structures are important. “Their powers will come from their people, from their constitution, as opposed to the minister or the government of Canada, it’s essentially decolonizing themselves,” said Cree Lawyer Delia Opekokew. In the recent vote, 92 per cent of band members supported a WDFN constitution and "mandate Chief and Council to sign the Governance Agreement negotiated with Canada," according to a release from the WDFN.īear says with the vote, WDFN could soon have control over wills and estates, bylaws, administrative work and education. We’re not just relying on government revenues coming into our nation,” said Bear. It helps us generate our own-source revenues. ![]() “Self-government today has been a successful experience. He added the control has proven helpful in creating revenue for the Dakota Dunes Resort. Whitecap switched to every three years, then eventually every four, said Bear. In its journey towards self-governance, Chief Darcy Bear says the band has already taken control of land management, membership code and elections.Įlections under the Indian Act are held every two years. “I’ve always told our members we’re just as intelligent as anybody on the planet.” “It allows us to move at the speed of business and make our decisions,” said Chief Darcy Bear. Members of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation (WDFN) have voted to become a self-governing Indigenous nation, breaking away from the Indian Act.
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