Compensation, not consultation. That's what Dakota Tipi First Nation councillor Karl Stone says the Dakota people need, and it's one of the issues being discussed in the gathering of Dakota chiefs from around the region for the Dakota Oyaté Summit held at Dakota Tipi First Nation Thursday.

Councillor Karl Stone"Well, that's why we're here today -- is to try to establish a working group so that we can start moving forward, where our Dakota chiefs are working together to try to form a government that is going to push forward in regards to sovereignty, and say, 'Hey, look! We're here.' "

Stone says they're making plans to work together and approach the federal government, and outlines what they'll be asking.

"Let us develop our own gaming initiatives within our nation. Let us have economic wealth. Let us have education dollars for our children. Federal funding only goes so far. We need our own economic wealth within our communities. And the only way we're going to do that is by creating it, and letting us create our own economic wealth by gaming initiative -- casino -- and be a part of the resource sharing with these energy companies that are coming through."

Stone adds, "All we're saying is, 'Compensate us. Compensate us instead of consultation.' That's what we want. We're asking for that. And we want the government to understand that. We haven't been compensated for any of the lost resources that first nations have been entitled to for so many years that they should have been compensated for."

Dakota Tipi Health Centre for Brighter Futures coordinator Terry PashéDakota Tipi Health Centre for Brighter Futures coordinator Terry Pashé says the summit went well.

"We were hoping for more, but it turned out fine, because we got the people who needed to be here. And the people who needed to speak the word spoke the words. And we were quite pleased because we have drawn help and support from surrounding areas; other surrounding first nations."

Representatives arrived from AMC, Southern Chiefs Organization, Lake Manitoba, Bloodvein, Dakota Tipi, and Canupwakpa reserve (near Pipestone, MB).

 

More attendees gathered around the table for talks