Historic Partnership Signed for Naawi-Oodena to Support Creation of Canada’s Largest Urban Reserve

Treaty One First Nations and City of Winnipeg formalize Gaawijijigemangit Agreement for municipal services at Naawi-Oodena

July 20, 2022 – Winnipeg, MB – In an historic step forward in the spirit of reconciliation, the Treaty One First Nations and the City of Winnipeg will publicly sign the Gaawijijigemangit Agreement—a Municipal Development & Services Agreement for Naawi-Oodena. The Agreement for the planned redevelopment of the site formerly referred to as Kapyong Barracks provides the fundamental framework for future collaboration between all nations, based on mutual respect and understanding. The word Gaawijijigemangit means “Working Together in Partnership” in the Ojibway language.

“The signing of the Gaawijijigemangit Agreement is monumental in honouring the legacy of our First Nations’ leaders who worked for nearly two decades to see this historic step forward in realizing the fiscal and economic potential of Naawi Oodena”, said Chief Gordon BlueSky, Treaty One Nation Chairperson, “With the development of these lands, we will see the mutual benefits of jobs, income, and profits to our citizens and businesses. We will see revenues flow to our respective governments that contribute to the City of Winnipeg and our First Nations as services, infrastructure, and programs.”

The Agreement between the seven Treaty One First Nations and the City of Winnipeg sees the City provide municipal services for the proposed urban reserve at the Naawi-Oodena site. This landmark development will represent the largest multi-use project in modern Winnipeg history and the single largest, strategically located Urban Indigenous Economic Zone in Canada. The project has the potential to help shape Winnipeg’s future urban growth and generate significant economic investment for Winnipeg and Treaty One First Nations.

“Today’s signing ceremony is historic,” said Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman. “The City and Treaty One Nations worked together to create a new partnership that provides national leadership for the social, economic, and cultural prosperity of all peoples for current and future generations. Naawi-Oodena, once developed, will be one of the most complete communities in Winnipeg and will serve as a national model to shape future urban reserve development partnerships across Canada.”

The Agreement is the result of discussion, review, and analysis of common and best practices across Canada through the lens of reconciliation. The Agreement was unanimously approved by the Treaty One Governing Council on May 27, 2022, and by the City of Winnipeg Council on June 23, 2022.

“Congratulations to the Treaty One First Nations and the City of Winnipeg on signing the Municipal Development and Services Agreement, known as the Gaawijijigemangit Agreement. The signing of the Gaawijijigemangit Agreement is an important step in establishing Naawi-Oodena as an urban reserve, and in setting it up for success,” said the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations.”

Occurring at the Forks National Historic Site, the meeting place for Indigenous Peoples for more than 6,000 years, the Gaawijijigemangit Agreement will be publicly signed by:

• Chief Gordon BlueSky, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation
• Councillor Keely Assiniboine, representing Chief Kyra Wilson, Long Plain First Nation
• Chief Glenn Hudson, Peguis First Nation
• Chief Craig Alexander, Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation
• Henry Swampy, representing Chief Derrick Henderson, Sagkeeng First Nation
• Chief Trevor Prince, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation
• Chief Jason Daniels, Swan Lake First Nation
• Mayor Brian Bowman, City of Winnipeg

– 30 –

For inquiries, media may contact:

Vic Savino
Director of Communications
Treaty One Nation
vsavino@Treaty1.ca
204-770-0392

Jeremy Davis
Director of Communications
Office of the Mayor
City of Winnipeg
jdavis@winnipeg.ca

PDF Copy of Release