Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation says they plan to expand their legal capacity while they await a response from Bell over a contentious AI project.
The First Nation sent out a letter on October 2 demanding information regarding Bell’s massive Sherwood AI Campus, being built near Regina.
According to a media release sent out by the Dakota Nation on Friday, they have not received any response to that letter.
The Nation has set a deadline of 5:00 p.m. CST on Monday, October 19, for Bell to formally acknowledge the letter, which demands extensive documentation on the multi-million-dollar AI infrastructure project.
Standing Buffalo maintains that the data centre project is being developed within its unceded traditional Dakota territory.
Bell Canada has previously stated that the facility is being developed in compliance with all relevant environmental and regulatory frameworks. Bell has also asserted that it is committed to ongoing, meaningful engagement with local communities and First Nations.
However, Standing Buffalo is pushing for specific information on all processes of the AI campus.
In response to the lack of response from Bell to the intitial letter, Chief Roger Redman and Council have decided to ramp up the Nation’s legal capacity.
Should court proceedings become necessary, the Nation says they will determine its next steps based on available evidence and legal advice.