OFFICIAL STATEMENT
November 21, 2025
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is a self-governing Nation with its own Constitution, laws, and electoral system. The Nation has followed its constitutional processes, exercised its inherent Dakota sovereignty, and upheld the authority of the Oyate. The Oyate, the People, have recognized and acknowledged the newly elected Chief and Council as the legitimate leadership of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is issuing this statement to provide clarity regarding the 2025 Election, recent misinformation circulating online, and the lawful authority of the newly elected Chief and Council.
On November 13, 2025, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation held its election, which was initially administered by Burke Ratté under contract. The following day, on November 14, 2025, the O Tȟáŋka (Elders Council) & Tióspayé Representative Council convened after a breach of contract and failure to fulfill the required electoral duties occurred, including the abandonment of ballot boxes. In accordance with the authority granted in the Sioux Valley Dakota Oyate Constitution, the O Tȟáŋka & Tióspayé Representative Council terminated the contract of Burke Ratté and appointed a new Electoral Officer to complete the election process. During this review, it was also confirmed that Vince Tacan is no longer eligible to hold, act as, or be recognized in the role of Chief of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, effective immediately, pursuant to the Sioux Valley Dakota Oyate Constitution. Under Article VIII, Section 8.01(a)(ii), the Constitution requires that the elected Chief “shall be a person of good standing in the community as defined pursuant to the election laws of Sioux Valley Dakota Oyate with no criminal record or pending charges of a criminal nature.” On November 5, 2025, Mr. Tacan was arrested and charged, as publicly posted on the RCMP website, creating the condition of pending criminal charges. This constitutes an immediate breach of the eligibility criteria required to hold the Office of Chief. The actions taken by the O Tȟáŋka & Tióspayé Representative Council were lawful, constitutional, and necessary to protect the integrity and completion of the election.
On November 15, 2025, the newly elected Chief and Councillors completed the Oath of Office as required by the Constitution and formally assumed their positions. This marked the completion of the Nation’s constitutional requirements for governance transition.
In the days following the election, several misleading documents were circulated on social media claiming that Vince Tacan, Carol Johnson, and Anthony Tacan, remain in office. Additionally, a fraudulent website, http://www.svdngov.com, was created to impersonate the official communications of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. The only official website of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is http://www.svdngovernance.com. These documents and online activities constitute interference and obstruction of our Nation’s lawful governance.
Indigenous Services Canada has provided clarification on this matter, reaffirming that self-governing First Nations operate under their own established governing laws and electoral processes. ISC has not confirmed, nor directed, that a new election is required.
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation remains committed to transparency, accountability, and strong governance. The Nation encourages partners, agencies, and community members to rely only on official communications and to report any fraudulent or misleading information to the Administration Office.
