Canada to Issue Formal Apology to Nine Dakota and Lakota Nations for Historic Refugee Designation

The federal government is set to formally apologize to the Dakota and Lakota Nations in Manitoba and Saskatchewan on Monday for historically designating them as refugees—a label that one chief says turned them into “second-class First Nation citizens.”

Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Gary Anandasangaree will deliver a formal apology on behalf of the federal government to nine Dakota and Lakota Nations during a ceremony in Whitecap Dakota Nation, Saskatchewan, on Monday.

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation Chief Vince Tacan says the apology for labeling the Dakota and Lakota as “refugees” is long overdue.

“Several generations, including grandparents and others, have endured a lifetime of living with this label.… It’s unfortunate that they’re not around to hear the apology,” he said. “Having the label removed is going to be good news.”

Tacan will be joined by representatives from 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.

Tacan said the refugee label has allowed all levels of government to prevent Dakota Nation members from accessing certain services and benefits available to other First Nations. This includes his community, which is 260 kilometres west of Winnipeg.

The apology marks a small step in rectifying the damage, Tacan said.

Canupawakpa Dakota Nation Chief Raymond Brown says Dakota chiefs have been negotiating for Canada to recognize the traditional territories of the Dakota Nations, including Canupawakpa, which is 300 kilometres west of Winnipeg.

He wants the Dakota to be honoured for their role in Canadian history, after a long record of partnership with Britain.

Although many Dakota communities fought for the British against the United States during the War of 1812, they weren’t recognized as Indigenous people in Canada.

Historical evidence shows that, at various times, there were Dakota settlements in the 18th and early 19th centuries in southern Saskatchewan, as well as Manitoba and northwest Ontario.

However, when the numbered treaties were signed in the 1870s, the Canadian government refused to sign a deal with the descendants of Chief Sitting Bull, viewing them as American refugees.