Darcy Bear is Chief of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. He was re-elected as Chief for a ninth consecutive term in November 2020 and has served Whitecap since 1991.

Chief Bear’s leadership has been focused on financial accountability for Whitecap, self-government, and job creation through partnerships. Early in his leadership tenure, Chief Bear and Council initiated a program to improve financial accountability. That led to correcting a 40% annual budget deficit on Reserve, a precursor to the financial and economic success the Whitecap First Nation has since earned.

Chief Bear was instrumental in developing a self-governing Land Code, which created a business-friendly environment on Whitecap lands, complete with a land tenure system, commercial infrastructure and a real-property tax law. Whitecap now serves as a national example of positive community development and heightened self-determination.