Wahpeton Dakota Nation

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Wahpeton First Nation

Geography Wahpeton Dakota First Nation is located 10 kms north of Prince Albert, and has a landmass of 1,547 hectares. The band is associated with the Prince Albert Grand Council.

History According to legend, the Dakota, like Adam, emerged from the soil of the earth. A single man awoke one morning on the Great Plains, facing the sun. All about him the land was soft with primeval mud. There were no mountains, no trees, no rivers. Eventually the sun hardened the mud and strengthened the man, and he sprang from the earth with grace and freedom -- gifts of the spirit that created him. From this man came the Dakota nation, who lived and died on this same plain for thousands of years before the Europeans came. Scholars tell a somewhat less interesting story of migrations, internal conflicts, thwarted uprisings, and rarely heroic victories. What is certain is that the Dakota who live in Canada today arrived as refugees from the United States. (The People, Donald Ward, 1995).

The Dakota people settled in the Prince Albert area in 1878, moving north from the United States to enjoy the land of good hunting and fishing, bringing with them a great entrepreneurial spirit and seeking peace and fair treatment.

Originally, the band was known as Round Plains after the geography of the area where they settled. Later, they adopted the name of their ancestors in the north central United States. Recognizing that the Dakota people intended to stay in Canada, the federal cabinet passed two Orders-in-Council: the first acknowledged the Dakota under the protection of the British flag and, therefore, status Indians, the second laid out a land policy for the Dakota people in Canada. The government did not hurry to put policy into action and it was some time before the Dakota received land rights and material assistance as they were promised on settlement.

Wahpeton Dakota Nation is one of three nations that are of Dakota descent in Saskatchewan. Others include Whitecap Dakota Sioux and Standing Buffalo.

Many band members have strong ancestry ties to the United States. The Dakota people were not included in the Canadian treaty process, however, they were acknowledged and given a land base, but only half the size of the treaty land base given to other First Nation bands of the time. Because they never signed a treaty, they did not enjoy many of the privileges and rights awarded other plains nations. The Dakota were expected to create their own future.

The Wahpeton Dakota Nation is within the Treaty #6 area, but because of their ties to the United States and their ancestors' involvement in the war of 1812 between the United States and Canada, the Wahpeton Nation received a pre-confederation Treaty medal from King George III. The medal is kept at the Prince Albert Historical Museum for safekeeping and visits Wahpeton on special occasions.

Although band members are of Dakota descent, many have strong Cree ancestry. In 1918 a flu epidemic spread across the country. At that time there were approximately 300 Wahpeton members. The epidemic reduced band membership to less than 30. Many Dakota-Cree intermarriages occurred.

The Dakota language, music, song and dance are integrated into the school curriculum at the Wahpeton Elementary School.

Economic Information The registered population is 402, with an estimated 253 members residing on reserve. Although the band is small, it is extremely entrepreneurial. The Dakota are successful farmers, ranchers, wood-workers and laborers. The Wahpeton Investment Fund provides equity capital for band-owned commercial ventures and the Wahpeton Small Business Revolving Loan Account assists members to start-up micro businesses. The band owns farming operations as well as Tatonka Bison ranch. Both provide revenue for the band and employment for band members.

The band is part owner of Prince Albert Development Corporation, the Prince Albert Inn, South Hill Health Clinic, and the building that houses the Northern Lights Casino.

Wahpeton and 8 other First Nation bands own IMI Brokerage Company Ltd., an insurance and financial product operation. IMI was established in 1993 to allow First Nations to become directly involved in the insurance industry and benefit both by education and profit. IMI Brokerage is structured for transparency and accountability to owners and clients.

Band programs include: Wellness, Coffee Talk, pre- and post-natal, mental health workshops, community home-care nursing, and environmental services. Twelve Sweat Lodges are located in the Wahpeton First Nation community.

Attractions Wahpeton Dakota Nation hosts a summer pow-wow that attracts internationally renowned singers, dancers and drummers.

Each summer, Aboriginal drama students from across Canada travel to Wahpeton to participate in an intense month-long drama school. The successful program developed by the Toronto-based Centre for Indigenous Theatre, originated in 2000. Experienced Aboriginal performers including actors, pow-wow dancers and writers mentor student understudies. The culmination of the four weeks work by the students is showcased in a group production.

Other Info Educational facilities in the community include a K-9 elementary school; a high school is in the planning stages. Recent improvements in the community include a new residential subdivision, fire hall and service vehicle, health clinic, and daycare. The Prince Albert Grand Council Spiritual Healing Lodge, located at Wahpeton, offers rehab programs and provides band members an opportunity to participate in the ancient practice of sweat lodges.

Community events including the traditional pow-wow and other gatherings are held at the newly constructed Wahpeton Communiplex.

The reserve is one of 12 bands affiliated with the Prince Albert Grand Council.