By Renee Lilley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Portage Graphic Leader
June 2, 2025
The City of Portage la Prairie and the Dakota Plains Wahpeton First Nation have received a national award recognizing their partnership and efforts toward reconciliation.
The two communities were presented with the 2025 Collaboration Award from the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) during the association’s national conference in Mont Tremblant, Que., on Wednesday.
The award, which recognizes collaboration with external organizations, was given in recognition of a reconciliation ceremony held in June 2024 that marked the first formal city council meeting on First Nation land in Portage la Prairie’s history.
“The impact of this partnership is profound,” said CAMA president Tony Kulbisky. “It corrects a historic wrong, while leading to the establishment of a new park and potential new waterlines for the Dakota Plains Wahpeton Nation.”
The ceremony included a formal apology from the city for past injustices, including forced displacement and exclusion from governance. The city also acknowledged a 1911 council resolution that contributed to systemic racism.
Developed in close collaboration with Dakota Plains leadership, the ceremony featured Dakota traditions such as drumming, storytelling, and a community feast. Premier Wab Kinew, Indigenous leaders and local officials attended the event.
The City committed to creating Dakota Oyate Park and collaborating on water access for the Nation—initiatives aligned with Portage la Prairie’s strategic plan.
Mayor Sharilyn Knox said the city’s approach signalled a new chapter in municipal-Indigenous relations.
“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,” said Knox.
Seventeen-year-old Sophia Smoke spoke at the ceremony on behalf of the community’s youth, paying tribute to her grandfather, hereditary leader Orville Smoke.
“This historic day was a beautiful and powerful testament to the strength and spirit of perseverance inherited from our ancestors,” she said. “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 received 54 submissions for this year’s awards program, which celebrates innovation and excellence in municipal administration.
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More details on the winning projects can be found at www.camacam.ca/awards.