Hon. Marty Klyne: Senator Gold, last year, Whitecap Dakota Nation celebrated Parliament’s unanimous and long overdue passage of Bill C-51, giving effect to a treaty recognizing their nation’s right to self-government within the meaning of section 35 of the Constitution. The ancestors of this proud Dakota community located near Saskatoon were crucial allies of the British during the War of 1812. However, all these many years they were treated as a second-class First Nation, subjected to the same attempted assimilation, while deprived of treaty rights, including equitable lands and other benefits.

Senator Gold, a year has expired since the new treaty became law. However, the government has not entered into negotiations with Whitecap Dakota to put them on an equal footing with treaty First Nations. Will the government commit to doing the right thing?

Hon. Marc Gold (Government Representative in the Senate): Thank you for your question and for your advocacy as well. I’m afraid I don’t have an answer to provide to you that’s any different than that I’ve provided to our colleague senator on that. I have raised the question as recently as yesterday — indeed, as recently as this morning, because I repeated it, understanding the importance of this question, and I have yet to receive a response. Of course, I will continue to use my best efforts to obtain an answer as quickly as possible.

Senator Klyne: Senator Gold, justice delayed is justice denied. Will the government commit to a timeline to enter long overdue negotiations with the Whitecap Dakota Nation to fulfill the commitments of Bill C-51 to realize equitable lands and other benefits for Canada’s treaty partner?

That’s the right thing for our government to do.

Senator Gold: Again, I appreciate the follow-up question, but, again, I’m not in a position to comment on timelines. I do commit to continue to bring this to the minister’s attention. It’s an important question, but I don’t have an answer for you at this juncture.