Bill Detail

Bill C-51 formally recognizes a self-government treaty with the Whitecap Dakota Nation / Wapaha Ska Dakota Oyate. This means the treaty agreement between the Nation and the Government of Canada is now law. It outlines the Nation's inherent right to self-government and establishes how it will function, including making its own laws and managing its own affairs, in accordance with the treaty. This treaty aims to renew the relationship between the Whitecap Dakota Nation and Canada on a nation-to-nation basis, promoting respect and partnership.

The bill affects the Whitecap Dakota Nation by giving legal effect to their self-government treaty, allowing them greater control over their governance and community affairs. It also affects the Government of Canada by requiring it to uphold the treaty obligations and make consequential amendments to other federal laws to align with the new self-government arrangement. Other Canadians are indirectly affected as the bill solidifies Indigenous self-government and reconciliation efforts.