Another Manitoba First Nation files lawsuit claiming ownership of The Forks land

A western Manitoba First Nation has filed a lawsuit against all three levels of government and The Forks, arguing they own the land.

Canupawakpa Dakota Nation filed a statement of claim on March 20, listing the federal government, the Manitoba government, the City of Winnipeg, and The Forks Renewal Corporation as defendants. The claim follows a similar lawsuit filed by Dakota Tipi First Nation last year.

The First Nations are claiming they have Aboriginal title to the land.

“Canada and Manitoba have unjustifiably infringed the Plaintiff’s Aboriginal rights to the Land, including their Aboriginal title rights,” the recent lawsuit reads.

Canupawakpa Dakota Nation is arguing the Forks is “unceded traditional territory,” and they should share in the profits from the land. They said it was used “exclusively by the Oceti S’Akowin Nation for trade, harvesting, hunting, fishing, agriculture, and ceremonial sites since time immemorial,” according to the statement of claim.

The Dakota and Lakota Nations in Canada were not historically recognized as inhabitants and therefore were excluded from the treaty-making process in Canada .

On July 15, 2024. Canada apologized to the two nations, recognizing them as Canadian inhabitants.

Canupawakpa Dakota Nation is seeking a grant of legal title to The Forks, as well as unspecified damages and compensation.

The federal government filed a statement of defence in the Dakota Tipi lawsuit last February, asking for the case to be dismissed.

No statements of defence have been filed, and none of the claims have been proven in court.

The City of Winnipeg, the Province of Manitoba and The Forks all declined comment, as the matter remains before the court.