Our government supports the aspirations of First Nation peoples to take greater responsibility for the decisions that affect their lives and for managing their own communities. Manitoba will work to support this goal with the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and the Government of Canada within the Constitutional framework of Canada. Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has been negotiating with the federal government since 1988. After extensive discussions, a framework agreement was formally signed on September 9,1991. The Provincial government was integrated into the discussions in November 1992.
Effective governance is a key factor in social and economic growth.
First Nation governance under the Indian Act provides for a limited and dependent form of local governance. A self-government agreement will provide Sioux Valley Dakota Nation with a stronger governance regime that will be more transparent and more accountable to its members and more responsive to local needs.