The Chief of the Dakota Plains First Nation is pleased to see some recent progress toward having the Canadian government formally recognize the Dakota people. Orville Smoke says they've proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were here before Manitoba became a province and before Canada even reached out this far west. Smoke notes the Dakota people have never been given the privilege of having any kind of recognition as original inhabitants of the area, adding he believes this issue needs to be brought forward.

He says they've tried desperately to voice these kinds of issues over the years and it's never been properly addressed. Smoke notes they're certainly going to continue to pursue this avenue, which is one of the reasons they've been in touch with Ottawa. He adds it's time the Dakota people got what was rightfully theirs, including formal recognition that they have always been in this area.