Hon. Marty Klyne: Welcome, Minister Anandasangaree. Last year, this chamber expedited passage of Bill C-51 to give effect to the long overdue self-government treaty between Canada and the Whitecap Dakota Nation. The ancestors of this proud Dakota community located near Saskatoon were crucial allies of the British during the War of 1812, sometimes called The Fight for Canada. Yet Whitecap Dakota was treated as a second-class First Nation, deprived of equitable lands and benefits while subjected to the same attempted assimilation.

Minister, in fulfilling the promise of Bill C-51, actions speak louder than words. Do you agree that the honour of the Crown is engaged in delivering equitable lands and benefits to breathe life into the treaty in a timely way?

Hon. Gary Anandasangaree, P.C., M.P., Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations: Thank you, senator. I think I answered a very similar question that was just posed by Senator Tannas. However, let me reaffirm our commitment to the Whitecap Dakota and that we will continue to work with them.

I have had many conversations with Chief Bear and have visited him a number of times. The assurance that my deputy minister, Val Gideon, and I have is to work toward giving life to the act that was passed here last year.

Senator Klyne: Minister, in July of last year, Senators Cotter and Arnot and I were honoured to attend your apology to Dakota and Lakota First Nations in Canada for past harms relating to the long-standing denial of their rights. We’re well aware of the discussions, correspondence and negotiations, or lack thereof. Further to correspondence on this matter, can you please confirm that you will direct your representatives to deliver a treaty parity model as the starting point and principle for reconciliation?

Mr. Anandasangaree: Thank you, senator. It would be inappropriate for me to negotiate in this house. This is something that we need to negotiate and discuss with the Whitecap, and this is certainly something that I’m alive to.

I do wish to assure you that we will get to an equitable solution that will live up to the aspirations of the Whitecap Dakota.