These agreements free the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation from the grip of important parts of the Indian Act and give them more control over their own affairs, Said Minister Valcourt. They also provide the governance tools needed to gain economic opportunities and build stronger, more accountable, more self-reliant and more prosperous communities. This is an important step forward on the road to reconciliation and shows that we can achieve results for all Canadians by working together. 1. The Governor of the Council may decide any regulation or provision that the Governor deems necessary in the Council for the implementation of the provisions of the agreement or other agreements relating to the implementation of the agreement. As soon as the self-management agreements with Sioux Valley Dakota Nation come into force, the Canadian government will have concluded 20 comprehensive self-management agreements with 34 Aboriginal communities. Promoting good governance and accountability in First Nation communities increases investor confidence, supports economic partnerships and can improve living conditions. The self-management agreements signed today give Sioux Valley Dakota Nation the power to pass new laws that affect their communities in more than 50 areas, including governance, economic and social development, education, housing and more. Governance agreements will be harmonized with existing federal and provincial legislation within the Canadian constitutional framework. These self-management agreements are the result of successful negotiations between the Canadian government, the Manitoba government and the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.

Now that the agreements have been approved and signed by all parties, the next step is provincial and federal legislation to bring the agreements into effect. SIOUX VALLEY DAKOTA NATION, MANITOBA (August 30, 2013) – The Government of Canada, the Government of Manitoba and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation today signed the first self-management agreements on the Prairies. Once the agreements are in place, the Valley Dakota Nation Sioux Agreements remove parts of the Indian Act by giving them greater control over decisions regarding economic development, land management, education, housing and water, among other important issues, and by providing good governance mechanisms.