Chief Dissatisfied With Government Offer To Dakota

Chief Dissatisfied With Government Offer To Dakota

Wednesday, July 02, 2008 at 15:15

The chief of the Wahpeton Dakota First Nation says he isn’t impressed with Ottawa’s latest offer to the Dakota people.

Chief Cy Standing confirms reports the government recently offered the nine Dakota bands in Canada $60 million to renounce their requests for treaty rights.

For decades now, the Dakota have fought Ottawa for recognition equal to that of other First Nations throughout Canada.

However, the government insists the Dakota people originated from the United States and are not eligible for it.

Standing argues the government doesn’t want to own up to mistakes it made when it gave away land that was frequented by Dakota people for generations.

Standing says the Dakota have some options open to them: they can take the matter to court, or continue to do research and prove to the government the Dakota were always here.

Failing that, he says they can take the matter to the United Nations, as well.