Dakota Tipi Chief gives updates on Reconciliation efforts

Dakota Tipi First Nation is currently a part of moving Reconciliation ahead in our part of the country.  Current Chief Dennis Pashe has a long history of First Nation politics.

He explains the Dakota people don't have as many treaties as other First Nations.

"We've had treaties," continues Pashe. "Dakotas were here first before any other tribes that came here, whether it's Ojibwe or Cree. There were Dakotas in the south and the Blackfeet people in the north, and they got pushed this way. So, Dakota territory went up past Sault Ste. Marie and, all through Ontario, you got Sioux Narrows, Sioux Lookout, and it went all the way through to the Rocky Mountains. It went to North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Michigan, and Wisconsin. A lot of that was Dakota territory."

However, Pashe says, boundaries were set in place that cut into their territories. He notes they then referred to his people as Manitoba Indian or Canadian First Nation under those laws.

"More and more, we're taking the position now that we were here," adds Pashe. "We're going to function as if the original boundaries are still here. We are asserting our right. We haven't been doing that in the past. We need to get involved in major projects and major initiatives of the government in the cities and the provinces, and so forth, that recognize our land-based rights."

Pashe says they have treaties with the French Government of the 1600s and 1700s, as well as the British Government stretching back to the War of 1812. He says the Dakotas were the majority of people in this overall territory at that time.

"Those treaties still exist. They are Treaties of allegiance and peace and friendship. And it's been verified in courts, such as those with the Micmac and our First Nations there, that are not in Treaty, but they have won their cases. And it's the same as in British Columbia where the majority of First Nations there do not have a Treaty, but they have Aboriginal Title." 

Related to those issues, you can understand how Pashe was involved in creating the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples about thirty years ago. He wrote article 36. 

Article 36

1. Indigenous peoples, in particular those divided by international borders, have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations and cooperation, including activities for spiritual, cultural, political, economic and social purposes, with their own members as well as other peoples across borders.
2. States, in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples, shall take effective measures to facilitate the exercise and ensure the implementation of this right.

 

It's been a few years now since First Nations Chiefs gathered at Dakota Tipi's Dakota Oyate Summit and raised the issue of abolishing the Indian Act. He shares an update on what is happening with Truth and Reconciliation progress in our region and the nation. 

"Not too much has been done to abolish the Indian Act, really," says Pashe. "It needs to go to our own Constitution; our own First Nation Tribal Constitution with the parts of government that existed based on our values and traditions. It's all about the same law, order, safety and kids being protected along with families being protected. It's moving forward. We';re now trying to get rid of addictions and providing services to our people. The Indian act, in some ways, for example, our jurisdiction, they always put our right into a Criminal Code. Whether it's gaming or growing marijuana or any economic development activity, they put it in a Criminal Code. Then they give it to the province and we end up fighting that battle for our rights. It's rather unfortunate to do that and it's opposed to respect our jurisdiction and our sovereignty, that we can self manage and have our own successes and successful businesses, and so forth."

Pashe says even the name 'Indian Act' is insulting. He explains it's due to a legal foothold that should be removed.

"It's some kind of a legal footing that needs to be taken away and expanded to our own First Nation Constitution, our own local laws, and our own bylaws. Our own laws need to be recognized and implemented by the judicial system. We're not 'Indians'. We're Dakotas, so we have our first Nation's history. A lot of the history has been misconstrued and misunderstood, and assumptions were made based on a lot of the policies of the European powers of the time. And we're still trying to get out of those stereotypes like that."

He outlines what must still be done with the Dakota people. 

"We're certainly at the table, negotiating with the federal government on our land issues for sure," says Pashe. "We're a very small reserve, you know. So, we can't do a lot of things. We have to correct that history as we go on, as well, and realize what we are entitled to, as any other First Nation has received so many acres per family. We haven't received those types of things in terms of the benefits of sharing our land and resources." 

Moving forward, the Chief notes they're meeting with the local municipality. 

"We had a meeting with them, Southport, and the MLA, and we're looking to the City Hall to discuss the reconciliation, to discuss our land-based rights,  and involvement in any kind of development that happens," adds Pashe. "Anything we do or they do, sometimes we can partner up in certain projects, or certain initiatives, or business developments that are happening around Portage la Prairie." 

Pashe says they trying to work together  that way and see benefits result for both people and parties.