The provincial government introduced two pieces of legislation on Tuesday to lay the groundwork for increased First Nations self-governance. A news release from the province says the Summary Offences Procedure Amendment Act will provide a legal framework to enforce laws and bylaws on reserve. Back in 2019, Muskoday and Whitecap Dakota First Nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the province to address longstanding issues around the enforcement of First Nations’ laws. Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear says, “First Nations assert their jurisdiction and maintain community safety by creating laws under the Indian Act, land codes, and other federal legislation but there have been difficulties in enforcing these laws in the courts.”

The second piece of legislation is the Cannabis Control Amendment Act, which the province says established the provincial legal framework for First Nations to license and regulate the distribution and retailing of cannabis on-reserve. Separately, the amendments include a requirement for all provincial cannabis retailers to only have to ask for proof of age when a purchaser appears to be under 25 years old. Right now, retailers are required to ask everyone.