Ceremony to celebrate the signing of final self-government agreements between the Government of Canada, the Government of Manitoba and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation

Notes for an address by the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, PC, MP
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Ceremony to celebrate the signing of final self-government agreements between the Government of Canada, the Government of Manitoba and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation

Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Manitoba

August 30, 2013

Check against delivery

Elders, my colleague Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris, Minister Robinson, Chief Tacan, community members, ladies and gentlemen. I am honoured to join you for this special ceremony.

Today we come together to make history as we sign the first Aboriginal self-government agreements in the Prairies.

Since my appointment as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development I have made it a priority to travel the country, visiting First Nation communities and meeting with community members to hear firsthand the issues that matter to them.

And I have heard repeatedly from First Nation community members and leaders that the Indian Act is an impediment to progress for First Nations.

Our Government agrees. That is why we are taking concrete steps to introduce the kind of incremental change that Aboriginal Canadians have been calling for.

And that is why we are committed to working in partnership with communities like Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, and with the provinces, on agreements like the ones being signed today.

Self-government is one of the tools that can help to remove First Nations from the grip of the Indian Act, giving a community greater control over its destiny.

Once in effect, the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation will have law-making powers in 50 areas, from education and housing, to water, health, economic development, and the management of your lands.

The agreements also ensure that your communities have the necessary governance tools in place for good government, and to attract investment.

And, just as important, the agreements will help to foster a more respectful relationship Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, Canada and Manitoba.

For these reasons, today’s announcement marks an important step forward on the path to reconciliation and, ultimately, to healthier, more self-sufficient and prosperous First Nation communities.

That is a goal we all share, and our Government remains steadfast in its commitment to working together with First Nations to achieve it.

Today’s announcement has been more than two decades in the making. While our Government is taking steps to expedite the process so that First Nations can enjoy the benefits of self-government sooner, we should not lose sight of the significance of today’s announcement.

Today’s agreements were reached because over the last twenty years, all of the parties involved have remained committed to working together, always remembering the ultimate goal: a more respectful relationship, more prosperous communities, and a country in which everyone enjoys the benefits of living here. 

And with these agreements it should be clear that collaboration, hard work and respectful dialogue can deliver real, meaningful results.

Now that the agreements have been approved and signed by all parties, the next step is provincial and federal legislation to bring the agreements into effect.

The Government is firmly committed to strengthening relationships with First Nations. That is why we continue to take action to support more self-sufficient and prosperous First Nation communities. We believe that self-government lays the foundation for reconciling relationships and helps lead to an improved quality of life for First Nation people.

I am proud to say that the Government of Canada has now concluded 20 self-government agreements involving 34 Aboriginal communities.

Negotiated agreements balance the rights and interests of all concerned, and self-government supports the foundation for economic success by promoting independence and providing mechanisms for strong governance and accountability.

These contribute to increased investor confidence, which in turn supports economic partnerships and leads to economic development and improved living conditions.

I know that Sioux Valley has many such partnerships in development and all of us are optimistic that there will be more prosperity in the community as a result.

Existing agreements demonstrate the positive impact modern treaties and self-government can have on Aboriginal communities. For example:

• in northern Quebec, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec agreement have led to the creation of a number of Inuit, Cree and Naskapi owned companies and joint ventures with the private sector in areas such as airlines, construction, clothing, communications/software, mining, shipping, tourism, arts/craftsmanship, fisheries, and biosciences;
• in British Columbia, the Sechelt First Nation has developed its traditional economy based on fishing, and more recently, increased economic activity in areas such as logging, gravel extraction, salmon farming and tourism. Large portions of Sechelt lands have also been developed and leased to non-member residents;
• in the Northwest Territories, the Tlicho have created several companies to engage in regionally specific economic development activities (e.g. remediation contracts) and through the negotiation of benefits agreements for their citizens and communities;

Today’s celebration is a step in the same direction. It is also consistent with the theme of your annual pow-wow – “Celebrating our Future”. These agreements will contribute to a very bright future for your communities.

These achievements are proof of what can be accomplished when we negotiate in good faith. When there is a firm resolve on all sides to find a common solution, together we can deliver positive results for First Nations, and for all Canadians.

Thank you.