The history of Dakota Plains First Nation is a story of perseverance and strength.
Our History
Our people are Wahpeton Dakota, part of the broader Dakota/Lakota/Nakota (Sioux) Nation whose ancestors have lived in the northern Plains for centuries. Many of our ancestors settled in this area of Manitoba in the late 1800s. By 1893, Dakota families were living south of Portage la Prairie and had even purchased land (through a trustee, as Indigenous people then could not legally buy land themselves) to establish a village. Over the following decades, they built homes, roads, wells, gardens and even a church – creating a self-sufficient community on their own land.
However, a tragic turn came in 1920. On March 11, 1920, the Portage la Prairie city council passed a motion to remove the Dakota people from the city limits, citing discriminatory reasons like “their habits” in an era of prejudice. The federal government acted on this motion: our families were forcibly relocated to a parcel of land made available nearby, after negotiations with Long Plain First Nation for a portion of their reserve land. The Dakota Plains people’s original village was seized and destroyed without compensation, and today only the old cemetery remains at that site as a silent witness to our early history.
Resettled in a more remote location (the area now known as Dakota Plains 6A, near Edwin, MB), our community had to start over. In the following years, farming, hunting, and trapping became our main means of survival in the new location. Our people worked hard and achieved success in farming – raising poultry and livestock and growing produce to the point that even neighbouring communities relied on Dakota Plains farm goods. This period of prosperity showed our resourcefulness and determination. Unfortunately, local non-Indigenous farmers grew resentful of the Dakota farmers’ success. Their complaints led the government to interfere; an Indian Agent was placed nearby and took control of the farm operations, effectively shutting down the Dakota Plains free trade in farm products. With added barriers like new fences cutting off hunting grounds, our community’s self-sustaining economy was systematically undermined. By the 1950s, denied both farming and hunting opportunities, Dakota Plains families had no remaining independent means of survival and were forced onto government relief programs to get by.
Despite these hardships, the Dakota Plains First Nation endured. The 1970s brought a milestone: in 1972, Canada finally recognized Dakota Plains as a First Nation community in its own right. This recognition meant that our people would at last be eligible for certain federal programs and services guaranteed to Status Indians – a hard-won acknowledgement of rights. However, because we still had (and have) no treaty, we continued to be excluded from many benefits that our neighbouring treaty First Nations received over the years. This inequality contributed to economic difficulties – our reserve is small and, being encircled by Long Plain’s lands, offers little room for economic development projects. It is no secret that Dakota Plains has faced challenges with poverty and infrastructure, but we have never given up seeking justice and improvement for our community.
In recent history, our leadership has actively pursued the recognition of our historic land rights. The Canadian government’s position began to change in our favor in the 2000s. Since 2009, the federal government has acknowledged the Dakota people as Indigenous to Manitoba, not “American refugees,” and this opens the door for us to negotiate our long-denied land claims. Dakota Plains continues to seek compensation for the lands and villages that were taken from our ancestors so unjustly. This ongoing effort is about more than material compensation – it’s about recognition of our history and the wrongs endured, and it’s about creating a better foundation for future generations.
Through all these ups and downs, our community’s spirit remains strong. Our history is one of resilience: we have always adapted, survived, and carried on our traditions against the odds. This courage and persistence inherited from our forebears guides us today.
Cultural Heritage and Language
Our Dakota culture is the heart of Dakota Plains First Nation. We take great pride in our Dakota language, our ceremonies, and our way of life. The Dakota language (Dakód iapi) is still spoken and understood by many in our community, especially our Elders, and there is a passionate effort to teach the younger generation. Dakód iapi kin wakḣáŋ – “the Dakota language is sacred” – as one saying goes, and indeed we believe that “when something is sacred, it cannot die”. This philosophy drives our language revitalization initiatives.
Students from Mahpiya Hdega School sing “O Canada” in the Dakota language during a 2017 event, exemplifying Dakota Plains’ commitment to cultural and language preservation. The community actively promotes the use of Dakota language among youth and families. In 2017, for example, our students from Mahpiya Hdega School proudly performed “O Canada” in Dakota at the grand opening of the Manitoba First Nations School System – a moment that was celebrated across the province. Elders often remind us that “Dak\u021Fódiapi kin wakḣáŋ. T\u0331aŋyáŋ wakḣáŋ kiŋháŋ t’á okiyá\u015Bni” – which translates to “The Dakota language is sacred. When something is sacred, it cannot die.” This belief underpins how we approach education and daily life, ensuring our heritage language lives on. We incorporate Dakota language lessons and traditional knowledge in our school curriculum and community events, so that children learn to speak and understand their ancestral tongue.
Beyond language, traditional culture flourishes in Dakota Plains through ceremonies, arts, and community gatherings. We honour and practice ceremonies that have been passed down through generations, such as seasonal celebrations and spiritual gatherings, in accordance with Dakota customs. Our community members participate in regional powwows and cultural events, often joining with fellow Dakota from other First Nations to share songs and dances. Crafting and art – from beadwork to quillwork and traditional regalia – are also important parts of our cultural expression, and our artisans take pride in creating items that reflect Dakota symbols and stories.
Elders play a central role in community life, guiding us with their wisdom. They lead by teaching traditional values like respect (wóohoda), generosity, courage, and humility to our youth. Storytelling is one way these values are taught: Elders recount oral histories and legends in both Dakota and English, keeping our stories alive. Through programs at our school and community center, we make sure Elders and youth connect regularly – whether it’s for language classes, history talks, or simply sharing time together.
In Dakota Plains, community and culture are deeply intertwined. We consider all our members as relatives, tiyóšpaye (extended family), and we foster a sense of belonging and mutual support. By maintaining our cultural practices and speaking our ancestral language, we strengthen that sense of identity and unity. Our culture has endured despite hardship, and it continues to define who we are. Visitors to our community often remark on the warmth of our hospitality and the pride we take in our heritage. We invite everyone to learn about and celebrate the rich Dakota culture that makes Dakota Plains First Nation so special.