Dakota Take Claim To Court On Horseback

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 14:30

 

 

Nine Aboriginal communities who did not sign treaty with the federal government are bringing their issues to a Saskatchewan court — on horseback.

 

Henry Skywater, from Manitoba’s Birdtail Dakota Nation, is the elder advisor in the group.

 

He says it’s an issue about a lack of treaty rights for the Dakota Nation.

 

He says they were denied a treaty because the Canadian government considered the Dakota people to be alien citizens from the United States, while the American government viewed the Dakota as Canadian citizens.

 

Skywater says the riders plan on presenting documents to a Saskatoon court tomorrow.

 

The group includes riders from the Standing Buffalo, Pipestone and Sioux Valley Dakota Nations.

 

Riders from the Whitecap Dakota First Nation are joining them, as well.