History & Culture
The Whitecap Dakota First Nation is part of the larger Dakota-Nakata-Lakota Nation whose traditional governance structure was called the Seven Council Fires or Oceti Sakowin, whose lands extended into both Canada and the United States. The Dakota have a long standing relationship with the British Crown, dating back to wampum ceremonies in 1762. A significant testament to this relationship is signed a Treaty between the British and the Dakota in 1787. The Dakota honored this treaty as military allies of the British Crown in the American Revolution and in the War of 1812.
The British promised to always protect and honor the promises made to the Dakota. In 1862, following an uprising in Minnesota, the Dakota, led by Chief Whitecap, Chief Standing Buffalo and Chief Littlecrow, followed their old trade routes along the Souris River and entered their old territories. But they were confronted with a new border they helped create during the War of 1812. The Chiefs brought with them the medals and flags given to them by the British and reminded the officials of the promises which were made to them.
The Dakota were given reservations in Canada, and Whitecap originally settled in the Beaver Creek area in 1878. They moved further south to their current location in 1879 and eventually the reserve was legally surveyed in 1881. In August, 1882, Chief Whitecap counseled John Lake on the location for a new temperance colony that would become the City of Saskatoon. We have co-existed as good neighbors since and our alliance continues to this day.
As WDFN moves forward, we continue to build partnerships as we reinforce our values and traditions of the past.

1620’s – European Newcomers enter Dakota territory. 1670’s – Trade established between the Dakota and the French explorers, fur traders, and missionaries. 1695 – Dakota Chief Tioskate visits Governor General of New France Louis Frontenac in Montreal to establish a formal alliance. 1742 – French Governor Beauhamois pledges support to Dakota Nation. 1756-1763 – The Dakota assist British against French. 1760’s – Peace and friendship treaties between the British and Dakota Oyate. 1763 – Royal Proclamation issued by King George III in to officially claim British territory in North America and set out guidelines for European settlement of Aboriginal territories. 1764 – Council of Niagara, Wampum exchanged between Crown representative William Johnson and 24 Western First Nations 1775-1783 – Dakota Chief Wabasha appointed a General in British Army. 1783 – Many Dakota people die from exposure to diseases introduced by newcomers in Dakota Territory. 1787 – Dakota sign written treaty with the British Crown at Fort Michilimackinac, renewing the bonds of the Dakota-Crown alliance. 1812 – War of 1812 begins, Dakota participate as allies to British. 1813 – British medal ceremonies with First Nations. 1814 – Signing of Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812 guaranteeing restoration of the sovereign position of the Dakota and other First Nations as had existed prior to the war. 1818 – 49th Parallel becomes border between US and Canada in the central plains. 1830 – The American Removal Act results in forced relocation of the Dakota to Midwest US 1860’s – Dakota Oyate make or renew treaties with Metis, Ojibwa, Cree, and Assinboine on prairies. 1862 – Minnesota War erupts due to refusal of the American government to fulfill treaty obligations to the Dakota 1862 – Groups of Dakota who refused to participate in the war follow trades routes to settle in their territory north of the 49th parallel; this includes Chief Whitecap. December 26, 1862 – 38 Dakota men sentenced to death and hanged in Mankato, Minnesota, making this the largest mass execution in US history. 1863 – Dakota hold numerous councils at Fort Garry to claim fulfillment of Crown’s War of 1812 promises. 1867 – The British colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick joined into one Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. 1870 – Wapaha Ska’s community travels and camps in areas that include Cypress Hills, Moose Mountain, Fort Qu’Appelle, and on the North Saskatchewan River near modern day Prince Albert. 1870 – Numbered Treaties signed: 1874 Treaty 4, 1876 Treaty 6 1876 – Canadian Act of Parliament made covering governance, land use, healthcare, education, and more on First Nations reserves. 1879 – Wapaha Ska identifies lands along the South Saskatchewan River to establish the future WDFN community 1881 – Whitecap Dakota First Nation (formerly Moose Woods) first surveyed 1882 – Chief Whitecap leads John Lake to future site of the City of Saskatoon. 1885 – Riel Resistance; Wapaha Ska accompanies a group of warriors from his community en route to Batoche, where he is later arrested and charged with treason and imprisoned. June, 1885 – Wapaha SKa acquitted of all treason charges and is released from prison 1886 – Whitecap community petitions the federal government for an on-reserve day school. One room log school is later constructed at the First Nation. 1888 – J. C. Nelson alters reserve boundaries without authorization; trades one piece of land for another, which provides an additional 0.3 square miles for the reserve, bringing the total size to 2.3 square miles or 1,472 acres. 1890 – 1894 – Department of Indian Affairs officials agree that additional pasture and hay lands should be provided to Whitecap, but a series of administrative errors delays addition for a number of years. In 1893 lands are added to the reserve, but the community is not notified until 1894. 1900’s – Whitecap community establishes thriving cattle and haying industry. 1916 – First Whitecap teacher, Charles Red Hawk, teaches at the Whitecap day school. Red Hawk taught for approximately eight years at the day school from 1916 to 1923. 1921 – SE ¼ 6-34-5 W3M added to WDFN Reserve Lands. 1926 – SW ¼ 6-34-5 W3M added to WDFN Reserve Land 1930’s – Department of the Interior transfers the entire Dundurn Forest Reserve to the Province, including the grazing lands leased by the community, contributing to a loss of Whitecap’s cattle industry 1959 – Whitecap Dakota First Nation gives Prime Minister Diefenbaker honourary name “Walking Buffalo” at the inauguration of the Diefenbaker Dam at Outlook, SK. 1979 – Whitecap adopts their Band Council Election Act, enacting an elected Chief and Council system. 1979 – Saskatoon City Council officially names 350 acres of land along the Saskatchewan River “Chief Whitecap Park.” 1996 – New Elementary School at Whitecap opens. 1999 – WDFN opens new fire hall. 2003 – Whitecap signs onto the Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management and ratifies the Whitecap Dakota First Nation Land Code on November 7, 2003, enabling WDFN to self-govern its lands and eliminating 25% of the Indian Act. 2004 – WDFN, along with partners Lac La Ronge First Nation and Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, open the world class Dakota Dunes Golf Links. In 2005 it is awarded the distinction of “best new course in Canada” by Golf Digest. 2005 – Whitecap Dakota First Nation donates a sculpture of Chief Whitecap to Chief Whitecap Park. 2006 – WDFN adopts Custom Election Act 2007 – Opening of the SIGA Dakota Dunes Casino at Whitecap. 2008 – “The Founders” statue commemorating the meeting between Chief Whitecap and John Lake at the future location of the City of Saskatoon installed in downtown Saskatoon. 2009 – Highway 219 designated by the provincial government as a Tourism Corridor named Chief Whitecap Trail. 2009 – WDFN’s Second Generation Land Code enacted 2011 – Whitecap Chief Darcy Bear receives Saskatchewan Order of Merit 2011 – Whitecap opens new regional Health Centre, open to all residents in the Whitecap region. 2012 – Whitecap Dakota First Nation signs a Self-Government Framework Agreement with the Government of Canada. 2012 – WDFN formalizes a unique partnership with the Saskatoon Health Region to provide health services at Whitecap. 2012 – Prince Charles presents Chief Bear with a commemorative banner at the Royal York Armoury in acknowledgement of the contribution of the Dakota in the War of 1812. The Government of Canada presents a commemorative War of 1812 medal to Chief Bear in commemoration of the Dakota-Crown alliance in the War of 1812. 2013 – WDFN and the Saskatoon Public School Division [SPSD] sign an Education Partnership agreement, instituting a unique education co-governance model. 2014 – Prince Edward unveils Whitecap’s “Spirit of Alliance” War of 1812 Commemorative monument at Riverlanding in Saskatoon. 2015 – The park near Nutana Collegiate in Saskatoon officially named Chief Darcy Bear Park. 2015 – The portion of the Saskatchewan River extending between the Gardiner Dam and the City of Saskatoon is designated the Chief Whitecap Waterway and is considered part of the TransCanada Trail. 2016 – New clubhouse opens at Dakota Dunes Golf Links. 2016 – Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle adopted by vote by WDFN Membership. 2016 – Whitecap Elementary School officially expands and is renamed Charles Red Hawk Elementary School. New Early Learning Centre attached to Elementary School is opened. April, 19, 2017 – The WDFN Governance Agreement in Principle is signed by Canada and Whitecap officials. This triggers the final procedures to complete The Self-Governance agreement. 2017 – Chief Whitecap School officially opens in Stonebridge area of Saskatoon.
Contact With Europeans
Trade Established
Frontenac Alliance
Great Council Meeting
Seven Years War
Nation-to-Nation Agreement
Royal Proclamation
Council of Niagra, Wampum Ceremony
American War of Independence
Smallpox Epidemic
Michilimackinac Treaty
War of 1812
Renewal of Commitments
Treaty of Ghent
49th Parallel Establishment
American Removal Act
Treaties Made and Renewed
Minnesota War
Groups of Dakota return north
Mass Execution
Dakota-Crown Council
Canadian Confederation
Wapaha Ska’s community travels
Numbered Treaties signed 1870’s
Introduction of Indian Act
Wapaha Ska identifies lands for establishment of community
Whitecap Dakota First Nation first surveyed
Founding of Saskatoon
Riel Resistance
Wapaha Ska acquitted
First School constructed at Whitecap
Whitecap boundaries change
Expansion of Reserve Lands
Whitecap develops cattle industry
First Whitecap born teacher begins teaching at Whitecap School
Whitecap expands land base
Grazing Lands removed from Whitecap reserve
Whitecap gives honourary title to Prime Minister Diefenbaker
Band Council Election Act is adopted
Chief Whitecap Park created in Saskatoon
New School opens at Whitecap
New Fire Hall opens at Whitecap
WDFN ratifies Land code and FNLMA
Dakota Dunes Golf Links opens
Statue of Chief Whitecap donated to Saskatoon
Custom Election Act is adopted
Dakota Dunes Casino opens
Chief Whitecap and John Lake commemorated
Chief Whitecap Trail Tourism Corridor created
second generation land code enacted
Chief Darcy Bear receives Saskatchewan order of merit
Whitecap Regional Health Centre opens
Self-Government Framework Agreement signed
WDFN formalizes partnership with Saskatoon Health Region
Dakota contribution to war of 1812 commemorated
WDFN signs partnership agreement with Saskatoon Public School Division
Whitecap designed War of 1812 monument unveiled in Saskatoon
Saskatoon park officially named Chief Darcy Bear Park
Chief Whitecap Waterway is designated
New clubhouse opens at Dakota Dunes
Self-Government agreement in principle is adopted by membership
School expands and new Early Learning Centre opens
WDFN Governance Agreement in Principle is signed
Chief Whitecap School opens in Saskatoon
