WELCOME - HAU KODA
Welcome
Our Dakota people have a long and proud history and are recognized for many accomplishments
including helping to establish the City of Saskatoon in 1882, which has now become the economic
center of the province of Saskatchewan and our primary market. The Whitecap Dakota First Nation
is pursuing its vision and creating an economically self-sustaining community on the Whitecap
Reserve. Our development plans incorporate effective use of our resources while respecting the
Dakota culture and protecting the environment.
We achieve success by developing partnerships and a spirit of alliance with our partners and the
communities, businesses, and governments in our region.
We invite you to be part of our economic development plan and our efforts to strengthen our community while building opportunities for many. We strive to develop meaningful business relationships
and quality businesses so we can all achieve our goals.
Sincerely,
Chief Darcy Bear
Chief Darcy Bear
“As proud Dakota people we have
always strived to be economically self
sustaining”
OVERVIEW
The Whitecap Story
The WDFN is located 26 kilometres south of Saskatoon. Formerly known as Moose
Woods, it was established in 1889 by Order-in-Council. In August, 1882, Chief Whitecap
counseled John Lake on the location for a new temperance colony that would become the
City of Saskatoon.
The WDFN is part of the larger Dakota Nation, whose traditional governance structure
was called the Seven Council Fires or Oceti Sakowin, and whose traditional 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.
Through accountable, transparent governance, economic development, stable land tenure
management and partnerships, the WDFN has managed to attract over $100 million in
capital investment in the community. In the coming years, development plans will continue for outside investment in our community for tourism, business, and resort residential
development.
From generation to generation, WDFN has continued the Spirit of Alliance. As the WDFN
moves forward, it continues to build partnerships as it reinforces its values and traditions
of the past. Today, their many partnerships with various organizations and local, provincial, and federal governments are a testament to the lasting legacy of this Spirit of Alliance.
GOVERNMENT
Structure
Lands
The Whitecap Dakota First Nation is governed by an elected body consisting
of the Chief and two councillors. These postions are elected through a vote
by the Whitecap Dakota First Nation membership. Transparency is a core
value of the WDFN government and all efforts are made to engage with both
the membership and all partners and stakeholders in the decision making
process. Government Adminstarion and services are provided through dedicated departments including Economic Development, Lands, Public Works
and Housing, Health, Education, Finance, and Self Government.
Whitecap Dakota First Nation has adopted the First Nation Land Management Ac under the Framework Agreement provided by the Federal Governmentt. This has allowed Whitecap to replace many provisions from the Indian
Act with its own legislation and has given Whitecap government control over
the management of Whitecaps land and resources. A third generation Land
Code has been implemented in consultation with financial institutions and
CMHC which further enhances the investment and security environment for
lenders.
Self Government
The WDFN developed a Land Use Plan that divided the reserve into Land
Use Zones with each zone having its own development standards to maximize land values. Ninety-nine (99) year commercial and 99 year residential
leasing instruments with renewal options give the band the flexibility to meet
the needs of investors.
Whitecap Dakota First Nation is in the process of negotiating
Self-Government status with the Government of Canada.
The primary objective of the self-government initiative is to restore the
balance of power to Whitecap Dakota First Nation. Self-governance allows
communities to shape their social and economic well-being. Under
self-government, bands develop and enforce their own laws regarding
education, culture, finance, and lands. The Minister of Indian Affairs will no
longer decide which laws could be passed, or which priorities are important.
The community would become the ultimate authority over its own affairs in
almost all of the sections of the Indian Act.
Our governance structure will be developed by our members through a
community constitution and will be accountable to our own members.
Business development legislation including property taxation, business licensing, environmental management along with a $12 million infrastructure
investment was made to support commercial and residential development.
This has helped to raise the market value of Whitecap Lands.
COMMUNITY
Demographics
Total WDFN Population: 629 persons
On Reserve: 330 persons/Off Reserve: 299 persons
Whitecap Community Population: 539 persons (includes all citizens that live in
the community, WDFN members, other FN members and non-status residents.)
Total Reserves/Settlements/Villages: 5,678 acres
Whitecap has become an attractive place to work and live for non WDFN members and mon first
nations people. The proximity to Saskatoon, very low crime rate, beautiful landscape, services and
attractions make for a community that can provide a healthy and blanced lifestyle.
Infrastructure
WDFN has made significant investments in infrastructure in order to provide a high quality
of life for residents and a positive investment climate for our present and future partners. Notable
investments include a cutting edge reverse osmosis water treatment system for both residential and
commercial and access to high speed internet and fibre optic networks. A major expansion to the Water treatment and wastewater facilities is currently underway and will provide the necessary capacity
for future development.
ECONOMY
Labour Market
Through investments and partnerships Whitecap has created over 650 jobs on reserve
land. As a result Whitecap enjoys an unemployment rate under 5% which is lower than the
provincial average. The major employers operate in the service/hospitality industry they include the Dakota Dunes Casino and the Dakota Dunes Golf Links. Local Government and
the Public Works Department are also major sources of employment. Whitecap Dakota First
Nation is located within 20km of the City of Saskatoon which is the largest labour market in
Saskatchewan.Every day dozens of people commute from the city to Whitecap to work.
Education and Training
Whitecap community members enjoy a wide range of education and training opportunities
both on and off Whitecap Lands. We have developed an educated and skilled labour force.
The Whitecap Elementary School is operated by Saskatoon Public School Division (SPSD)
under a joint governance agreement providing pre-K to Grade 4 programming, concentrating
on intensive early schooling with a strong Dakota language and culture component. WDFN is
also expanding the Early Learning Centre to provide younger children with an advanced
learning experience and strong cultural foundation. Whitecap students attend SPSD schools in
Saskatoon for the balance of their schooling (Grades 5-12).
WDFN has been in partnership with Great Plains College for the past 4 years to offer ABE and
GED programs to adult learners from both Whitecap and the surrounding region.
By supplementing federal funding with its own revenues, WDFN continues to support all its
members who wish to attend post-secondary education programs
AGRICULTURE
Soil and Irrigation
• Whitecap Dakota First Nation has 1630 acres under cultivation and the
Whitecap Development Corp has 862 acres under cultivation.
• Crops grown historically and currently include wheat, canola, oats, barley,
and peas.
• Soils are primarily loamy alluvium and clay alluviums ranging from type
2 to type 3 in cultivated lands.
• Irrigation is developed in southwest Dev Corp sections. Raises Soil rating
to type 1.
• Flexible Agricultural leases available
Bison Ranch
• We currently manage a herd consisting of 30 head. Land is availble to
expand the herd.
BUSINESS
Whitecap Development Corporation
We are an investment corporation dedicated to our sole
shareholder: Whitecap Dakota First Nation. We pride
ourselves on developing innovative partnerships and we
recognize that success comes from engaging business on
a local, regional and global scale.
In order to be successful, you need to have vision and
then you have to make that vision a reality. Our vision
is to create wealth and prosperity for our shareholder
and our partners. We make it happen through creative
thinking, sound research and strategic planning.
We invite you to read about our partnerships and our
investments. If you’re interested in investing with us or
you’d like to learn more, please get in touch through our
contact page. We welcome new ideas and partnership
opportunities.
Chief Bear
Business Park
ADVANTAGE
Location
•
Whitecap is ideally situated within 20 km of the City of
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan’s largest labour market. Whitecap is also located adjacent to or near several major
transportation corridors, railways, and the Saskatoon
International Airport. Over one million visitors travel to
Whitecap on an annual basis
Services
•
WDFN has formed partnerships that allow for any resident or visitor to access the health services available at our
newly built health clinic, including a nurse practitioner,
Scheduled Doctor hours, mental health therapists, and a
dentist.
•
Whitecap is home to an RCMP attachment and a volunteer fire department who provide fire protection services.
•
A recently completed Early Learning Centre offers 56 daycare spaces that are available to the Whitecap labour force
and rental housing is available in the community
Amenities
•
The Dakota Dunes Resort features an award winning
golf course, the largest First Nation owned gaming and
entertainment facility in Saskatchewan, and will be the site
of a resort hotel and conference facility currently under
development.
City of Saskatoon - Pop: 253, 000
Notable Attractions - Saskatoon International Airport
- CN and CPR Rail stations
- University of Saskatchewan
Whitecap Dakota First Nation - Pop: 539
Notable Attractions - Chief Darcy Bear Business Park
- Dakota Dunes Golf Links
- Dakota Dunes Casino
Chief Whitecap Trail - Designated as a tourism corridor,
primary weight loads permitted between Whitecap and
Saskatoon July to March inclusive. Secondary weight
restrictions apply during April, May, and June.
Highway 11 - Primary highway, twinned, connects the
three largest cities in Saskatchewan - Regina,
Saskatoon, and Prince Albert.
Highway 16 - Interprovincial highway and heavy haul
corridor, runs east-west and connects the western
provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and
British Columbia.
Highway 7 - Primary highway running from Saskatoon
to the Alberta border, primarily used as a trade corridor
and route to Calgary and the Rocky Mountains.
Highway 15 - Secondary highway that connects from
Highway 4 (an international heavy haul corridor) and
travels east to bisect highway 11 and connect with
Highway 16. Section between Highway 4 and Highway
11 is designated as primary weight.
Highway 5 - Primary highway that runs east west from
Saskatoon to the Manitoba border.
F.A.Qs.
What happens with political change?
The process for doing business at Whitecap would not change with a change of political leadership. The Whitecap Land Code defines
the rules for Whitecap lands and requires a referendum vote by the community in order to make any changes.
What happens when my lease runs out?
Your lease should never run out unless you want it to. Lease agreements are all written with a renewal clause in them that can be triggered at any time by the tenant. A financial renewal formula in the lease and third party appraisals ensure fair and equitable lease rates
under any renewal situation.
What happens if I want to sell my property?
Selling your property under leased land should be as easy as it would be under fee simple ownership. The sale of your property would
include the transfer of the lease to the new owner.
How can projects be financed on reserve?
Financing construction or business start up on Whitecap lands is similar to other jurisdictions. No additional security requirements
from the lender should be required. A number of major banks and credit unions have provided loans and mortgages for existing projects on Whitecap lands.
Why can’t I buy the land?
Whitecap reserve lands and all reserve lands in Canada are specified by the Indian Act as a “tract of land, the legal title to which is
vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band.” As they are actually federal lands they
cannot be sold by the First Nation.
CONTACT
WEBSITE
Band - whitecapdakota.com
Whitecap Development Corporation - whitecapdevcorp.com
PHONE
Band Office - 306-477-0908
ADDRESS
182 Chief Whitecap Trail
Whitecap, Saskatchewan
S7K 2L2