![]() The community fostered social and economic ties with the nearby Métis communities like Round Prairie, and later with local settlers.Īs a recognized founder of the City of Saskatoon, Chief Whitecap and his council advised settlers of the downriver location for the temperance colony in 1882.Īt home, under the leadership of Chief Whitecap, they built a home for widows and orphans. It was a traditional hunting and trading area spanning centuries, with an HBC outpost nearby. This was an historic Indigenous hunting and trade area.Ĭhief Whitecap’s community strategically settled in this area known as Moose Woods, which had plentiful game, traditional plants, and access to the river. Our ancestors settled in the current location in 1879, which was known as Moose Woods. Whitecap and his community continued their seasonal rounds through their territories on the prairies until forced onto reserve lands by the Canadian government in the 1870s. They reminded colonial officials of their reciprocal promises, which the Crown refused to recognize. The Chiefs brought with them the medals and flags given to them by the British in the War of 1812. Hundreds of our Dakota ancestors moved to their northern territories led by Chiefs Tatanka Najin (Standing Buffalo), (Taoyateduta) Littlecrow and Wapaha Ska (Whitecap), seeking peace and fulfillment of the promises of their British allies. In 1862, after enduring years of injustice, systematic treaty violations, and facing imminent starvation, an armed conflict with American settlers broke out. Some Dakota made treaties with the United States in an effort to live in harmony with settlers. Many treaties with our Indigenous allies were made or renewed at this time, including with the Nakota, Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), and Métis. The British did not honour their promises in the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, the British abandoned their Dakota allies and agreed to place much of Dakota lands under American control.Īlthough the Canada-US border was established at the 49th parallel in 1818, we continued to occupy parts of our northern territory, arriving on the prairies in the summer months to hunt, trade, and conduct ceremonies. Our Dakota warriors were commissioned officers in the British Army, and many more received medals in honour of their contributions in the fight against American expansionism.įor our support in the War of 1812, the British Crown presented King George Medals and promised to protect our rights and lands. They helped defeat the Americans in several key battles. Our ancestors were crucial allies of the British in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. The Dakota-Crown alliance was confirmed through the signing of a written treaty in 1787, which pledged peace, trade, and military alliance. We formed peace and trade agreements with the French in the mid 1600s and with the British Crown through ceremonies in the 1760s. When European newcomers entered our territory we made alliances with them as well. ![]() ![]() The rivers, along with our ancient trails system, provided a vast travel network for trade and commerce with our Indigenous allies. The river system also sustained us by providing food, medicines and water. Our Dakota ancestors followed the tatanka - buffalo, which supplied food, shelter, clothing, and tools. Our traditional territory includes parts of what is currently southern Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, extending into Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and northern Montana. We are stewards of our lands and our environment. This first label overlooks that our territories existed long before the establishment of the Canada-US border, while the second label overlooks that we had a well-defined and extensive territory that we shared with other Indigenous Nations.Īs Dakota, our relations include the land and all things in our territory. The territories of the Dakota have long been misunderstood and misrepresented by non-Dakota people, who do not understand either the seasonal use of our territory or how our concept of kinship connects us to the land and our territory. Today, members of the Oceti Sakowin are located across Canada and the United States. Together, we formed a powerful kinship network that shared natural laws, spiritual beliefs, language, as well as vast trade and military ties. Our traditional government was called the Seven Council Fires or Oceti Sakowin-an alliance of seven Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota groups. Dakota translates to “friend” or “ally” and from time immemorial we have created alliances with many Indigenous and non-Indigenous Nations.
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