City of Portage la Prairie and Dakota Plains Wahpeton Nation Win National Collaboration Award

News Release

City of Portage la Prairie and Dakota Plains Wahpeton Nation win national collaboration award 

Mont Tremblant, QC (May 28, 2025) – The City of Portage la Prairie, MB and Dakota Plains Wahpeton Nation have received national recognition from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) for their Reconciliation Ceremony. The communities were presented with the 2025 CAMA Collaboration Award, With External Organizations, during an awards ceremony held at CAMA’s national conference in Mont Tremblant, QC.

“CAMA is pleased to recognize the City of Portage la Prairie and Dakota Plains Wahpeton Nation for the collaboration demonstrated by their reconciliation ceremony,” said Tony Kulbisky, CAMA President, CAMA Representative for Alberta and CAO for Westlock County, AB. “The impact of this partnership is profound. It corrects a historic wrong, while leading to the establishment of a new park and potential new waterlines for DPWN.”

The City of Portage la Prairie and Dakota Plains Wahpeton Nation (DPFN) took a historic step toward reconciliation with a ceremony and formal apology on June 26, 2024. This was the first formal Council meeting on First Nation land in the City’s history, emphasizing respect and collaboration.

The City apologized for historical injustices, including forced displacement, exclusion from governance, and cultural marginalization. It also acknowledged a racist 1911 Council resolution that contributed to systemic discrimination. Developed with DPWN leaders, it underscored a commitment to healing and progress.

The event featured Dakota traditions including a grand entry, drumming, storytelling and a feast, reinforcing cultural revitalization. The City also committed to establishing Dakota Oyate Park and working together to secure water lines for DPWN, aligning with its Strategic Plan. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Indigenous leaders, and municipal officials attended the ceremony, demonstrating strong support.

This partnership was built on cooperation, engagement, and mutual respect. From the beginning, both the City and DPWN worked together to identify shared priorities and establish meaningful goals. Open dialogue and active listening were crucial in developing trust and ensuring that commitments were beneficial for both communities. 

Through collaborative planning sessions, cultural exchanges, and formal agreements, the partnership evolved into a model of municipal-Indigenous cooperation.

“This approach was innovative because it marked a significant departure from traditional municipal-Indigenous relations, demonstrating a proactive and genuine commitment to reconciliation,” said Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox. “By holding the first-ever formal Council meeting on First Nation land, the City of Portage la Prairie acknowledged Indigenous governance structures and created a space for equal collaboration.”

17-year-old Sophia Smoke spoke at the event on behalf of her family and the youth of their community. She shared that “this historical day was a beautiful and powerful testament to the strength and spirit of perseverance inherited from our ancestors. My Unkan, the hereditary Itanca Orville Smoke, consistently advocated for and demanded recognition from non-indigenous governments. It was his never-ending hope and belief in a better future that gave my community the courage and strength to rise, to fight, and to work for it.”

“CAMA’s Awards of Excellence Program celebrates the best in local government and recognizes the professional municipal administration needed to deliver creative and successful programs, projects or services,” said Bev Hendry, Chair of the 2025 CAMA Awards Committee and CAMA Past President. “Each year we are amazed at the calibre of submissions received. Congratulations to the winners and everyone who submitted an entry.”

A total of 54 submissions were received for this year’s awards program. To find out more about each award, and to see a video outlining each project, visit www.camacam.ca/awards and look for the award recipients’ link.

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View the video presentation from the ceremony here: CAMA Award Video – City of Portage la Prairie