Under the leadership of Chief Ken Chalmers, Birdtail Sioux's partnership with the federal
Government of Canada and corporate partnerships has created some controversy. Birdtail Sioux entered into agreement with companies like
Enbridge and
Canadian National Railway to help build
reserve projects such as the construction of a new health centre, a shopping centre, and a 62-home renovation project. Some of the other Dakota First Nations were concerned that the Birdtail Sioux's attempts for "short term gains" would hurt
Dakota claims that go back to 1870. The original Canadian
land claim alleges that the Dakota are American refugees and, as such, are not entitled their
aboriginal rights, land compensation, funding, and recognition as Canadian aboriginal people under s. 35 of the
Constitution Act, 1982. In 2025, Tréchelle Bunn was elected chief. She is the first female chief in this nation and is the youngest chief in Manitoba. ==References==