Federal government apologizes to Dakota and Lakota nations for historical abuse

I will never be able to erase the pain you endure, (but) it’s the right thing to do, Gary Anandasangaree, federal minister for indigenous relations, said at the event.

We want to fix this injustice with three simple words: we’re sorry.

The crowd of more than 500 elders, leaders and other First Nations representatives from across the Plains region of North America erupted in loud applause and cheers.

Long-time Whitecap Chief Darcy Bear said it was a long journey, but he was glad the day had finally come.

Our ancestors fought for this recognition, Said the Bear. We were treated differently. We were left out.

Bear turned to Anandasangaree and said that the apology was just the beginning.

We will hold you accountable.

Anandasangaree agreed that the government should be held responsible.

We hope we can remove this stain and start the healing process, he said.

Anandasangaree noted how these and other First Nations survived the pass system, residential schools, the Scoop operation of the 1960s and and other racist policies that harmed indigenous people. He said such policies prevent First Nations from sharing in Canada’s economic prosperity.

These and other injustices have affected all Indigenous people, but Monday’s apology specifically addressed policies that have affected Indigenous Dakota and Lakota people in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

They were designated as Refugees by the federal government because many Dakota and Lakota people migrated from what is now the United States to escape oppression. Canada denied them many historic treaty benefits, but also excluded them from important economic agreements, such as the multi-million dollar Land Rights Treaty.

This occurred despite many Dakota communities fighting with the British against the United States during the War of 1812. There is also historical evidence that there were Dakota settlements in southern Saskatchewan, as well as in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, at various times in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

In the 1870s and again in 2007, Ottawa rejected claims by the Dakota and Lakota nations to be included in treaties to which most Prairie First Nations already belong, including those relating to Indigenous land rights.

David Arnot, a Canadian senator and former Saskatchewan treaty commissioner, said the evidence supporting the apology was clear and compelling.

You are no longer denied your rightful place at the table, said Arnot. You are a whole, strong and proud nation.

Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand said: this should never have happened. He said the system needs to change and that all Canadians need to play a part in solving this problem.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Vice President Ally Bear said she was thinking of all her relatives in the audience, as well as those who died fighting for justice.

Today is a great day and a great step forward, Bear said. We’re not going anywhere.”

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The First Nations affected by the outbreak are: Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Dakota Plains Wahpeton Nation, Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation, Canupawakpa First Nation, Dakota Tipi, Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation, Wahpeton Dakota Nation, Whitecap Dakota Nation and Wood Mountain Lakota.

Each community is different and will move at its own pace in terms of the implications of the apology, said Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Vince Tacan. He added that the federal government must work with diverse Dakotas based on their unique experiences, rather than as one group moving forward.