Sioux Valley to join council

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/08/2020 (1911 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Sioux Valley Dakota Nation flag will soon fly at Brandon’s City Hall, joining the Treaty 2 and Métis Infinity flags raised in October of last year.

With that symbolic act, Sioux Valley joins the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council.

“We’ve been talking to Sioux Valley for a long time about joining the council and being an active member at the council,” said Jason Gobeil, community co-ordinator for the council.

The council is a coalition of community organizations that work together in identifying and promoting Indigenous issues to the City of Brandon.

“New leadership, I think, has really opened up this opportunity for a renewed relationship with the City of Brandon. When I look at the environments we’re working in, Sioux Valley, being our closest First Nation community, is one community we should be working with,” Gobeil said.

Sioux Valley has a school in the city, as well as a satellite office, and its members are active participants in the economy. Many of its members live in Brandon. Each winter, except this coming winter because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sioux Valley hosts its Dakota Nation Winterfest Wacipi, which sees approximately 30,000 participants and spectators from all over North America descend on the Keystone Centre over several days.

“When you look at economic contributions, Sioux Valley’s been a big part in development in Brandon for a number of years,” Gobeil said.

“When we think about the developments that Brandon can be putting forth, especially with the new First Nation economic development areas, there is so much opportunity to be working together and to be bridging that relationship as far as communications go.”

Gobeil also mentioned Sioux Valley’s cultural contributions, such as with the school division, where Dakota teachings and Dakota-language instruction have been brought in.

Sioux Valley Chief Jennifer Bone said it was an honour to have their flag raised within the City of Brandon.

“The acknowledgement of the Dakota people and the unceded territory of our nation is a significant step in reconciliation,” she stated in a news release.

“We look forward to new friendships, continued partnerships and further enhancing our relationship with the Brandon Urban Aboriginal Peoples’ Council and the City of Brandon.”

Bone also said the flag raising is an historical event for Sioux Valley and all Dakota people, as well as Brandon.

“I am looking forward to it,” she said.

Mayor Rick Chrest stated the city is proud to complete the trio of flags depicting the “inclusion and heritage of First Nations and Métis peoples in Brandon.

“Adding the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation flag today honours the nations who resided in this territory before the formation of Brandon and more importantly helps to build bridges towards greater opportunities and collaboration,” Chrest said.

The event takes place Aug. 14.

Carrying the flag, the Dakota Nation Unity Riders will depart the Sobeys parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and ride down Victoria Avenue, escorted by Brandon Police Service. They will arrive at City Hall for 11 a.m., when the ceremony will begin.

The Unity Riders are known for their awareness rides. Sioux Valley Coun. Anthony Tacan, who will be riding, said horses symbolize a lot of things for the Dakota.

“We’re utilizing them to come into the city as a symbol that the Dakota are here in Canada and have always been here prior to Canada coming into existence,” Tacan said.

The horses also symbolize strength in matters of trade.

“We’re going to have at least 20 riders. We’re leaving a little room for the other Dakotas that want to come in on it, too, as well as community members who are becoming aware of it and want to participate,” Tacan said.

Including Sioux Valley, there are five Dakota Nations in southern Manitoba.

Gobeil reminds all who attend the flag-raising event to adhere to physical distancing.

“We will be keeping proper distancing in place, and leading by example,” he said.

» mletourneau@brandonsun.com

» Michele LeTourneau covers Indigenous matters for The Brandon Sun under the Local Journalism Initiative, a federally funded program that supports the creation of original civic journalism.