Winnipeg | Naawi-Oodena | Kapyong Barracks Redevelopment

[thurmas]

http://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/appeal-court-sides-with-first-nations-over-kapyong-barracks-1.2518026

Hopefully with this news the decade of nothingness will finally end and we can finally see development of this prime parcel of Winnipeg Real Estate and the widening of Kenaston that is so desperately needed.

Naawi-Oodena - Kapyong Barracks Redevelopment
Location: Route 90/Grant Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
Developer: Treaty One Development Corporation & Canada Lands Company Limited
Architects (Master plan): Scatliff+Miller+Murray
Status: Phased development - U/C
Media: Everything is on track and going quite well’: Naawi-Oodena takes shape–Winnipeg Free Press
Documents:

• MASTER PLAN MARCH 2021
• 2022 Gaawijijigemangit Agreement – Municipal Development & Services Agreement for Naawi-Oodena | Cow Administrative Report – June 23, 2022
• Open House Boards-September 2023
• Planning Discussion-September 27, 2023 (Proposed Naawi-Oodena Secondary Plan)
• Naawi-Oodena FAQs–November 2023
• Naawi-Oodena – Secondary Plan–January 2024
• Naawi-Oodena–Design Guidelines–January 2025

Project Thread: Kapyong Barracks Discussion
Description: Naawi-Oodena, meaning "centre of the heart and community" in Anishinaabe, is Canada's largest urban reserve, located in southwest Winnipeg, on the former Kapyong Barracks site. Spanning 160 acres near the Tuxedo and River Heights neighborhoods, it is a joint project led by seven Treaty One First Nations alongside the Canada Lands Company. The site, once a military base decommissioned in 2004, was repatriated to Treaty One Nations in 2022 after a nearly two-decade legal battle over treaty land entitlement claims. The development, managed by the Treaty One Development Corporation (T1DC) for 68% of the land and Canada Lands Company for the remaining 32%, aims to create a vibrant mixed-use community. The master plan, released in 2021, includes 2,300 to 3,000 residential units, 915,000 to 1.2 million square feet of commercial space (retail, office, and institutional), and areas for cultural, educational, recreational, and community purposes. It emphasizes Indigenous design, incorporating traditional elements like Anishinaabe-inspired patterns, native plants, and cultural spaces, while fostering economic growth and reconciliation. The project, expected to take 10-15 years and generate over $2 billion in economic impact, is designed to integrate with surrounding neighborhoods, offering housing, retail, and services for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents. The City of Winnipeg provides municipal services like policing and fire protection under the 2022 Gaawijijigemangit Agreement, with Treaty One collecting taxes mirroring city rates, remitting 65% to the city and retaining 35% for community development. The city of Winnipeg does not have jurisdiction to approve or regulate development on the treaty 1 lands that make up approximately 108 acres of the site, the 51 acres to be developed by the Canada Lands Company is subject to the city of Winnipeg bylaw regulations.




• Video Link

• Naawi-Oodena | Treaty One Nations | Phase 1 (Block A)

Location: Northeast corner of Kenaston Boulevard and Taylor Avenue
Status: U/C
Media:      

• Naawi-Oodena: A vision for the future of Winnipeg-Winnipeg Regional Real Estate News
• Good Neighbors, Better Development-Manitoba Inc.
• Turning the Page: Construction Commences on Naawi-Oodena Business Park-Treaty One Development Corp

Description: Construction on Block A began in April 2024, with the entire parcel expected to be completed by 2028. This phase is part of a broader master plan for Naawi-Oodena, aiming to create a vibrant mixed-use community on the former Kapyong Barracks site, led by the Treaty One Development Corporation. Phase One of Block A in the Naawi-Oodena development, located at the northeast corner of Kenaston Boulevard and Taylor Avenue, consists of the following key components:

• Oodena Gas Bar - Naawi-Oodena Block A
  Location: 1871 Taylor Ave
  Status: Completed June 2025
  Media: Naawi Oodena gets first business–CTV Winnipeg YouTube
  Description: A 24-hour gas and convenience station

• The Treaty One Development Corporation Business Park - Naawi-Oodena Block A
  Status: In development
  Description: Planned as a commercial mixed-use zone with up to 130,000 square feet of commercial space, including a 95,000 square foot commercial centre. It supports retail, services, and other business uses, emphasizing Indigenous-led economic development.

• Endayaan Omaa - Naawi-Oodena Block D

Location: Naawi-Oodena, situated at the intersection of Kenaston Boulevard and Taylor Avenue
Developer: Treaty One Development Corporation
Architects: Number TEN Architectural Group [Building] | HTFC Planning & Design [Courtyard]
Status: U/C
Media:

• Ottawa contributes $91M to 10-storey Naawi-Oodena apartment block–Winnipeg Free Press
• Feds invest $91M toward affordable housing at an urban reserve in Winnipeg–APTN News YouTube

Renderings
Documents: Canada announces funding for Treaty One Nations to build 260 homes on Naawi-Oodena
Description: A significant milestone in Winnipeg's urban development occurred with the federal government's announcement of a $91 million contribution to the Endayaan Omaa ("Home is Here" in Anishinaabemowin) project, a nine-storey apartment building under construction at the Naawi-Oodena site—the former Kapyong Barracks lands in southwest Winnipeg, now Canada's largest urban reserve led by the Treaty One Nations consortium. This First Nations-led initiative will deliver 260 housing units, including 109 at below-market affordable rents, targeting families, students, and the broader community. Designed with cultural elements like a central courtyard evoking forest connections and Indigenous-inspired cladding, the project began construction in July and is slated for completion in 2027 or 2028.

• Naawi-Oodena | Canada Lands Company Phase 1- Naawi-Oodena Block C

Developer: Canada Lands Company Limited
Status: Subdivision and Rezoning application
Media: Naawi-Oodena takes another step toward development of 300-plus homes–CBC News Manitoba
Documents:

• CLC Newsletter-June 2025
• Subdivision and Rezoning-Taylor Avenue, South Side between Kenaston Boulevard and Portsmouth Boulevard (Lot 17)-June 23, 2025
• Report of the Administrative Coordinating Group-June 2025

Description: As part of the first phase of the Naawi-Oodena redevelopment on the Canada Lands Company portion of the former Kapyong Barracks site in southwest Winnipeg, the applicant has proposed subdividing the property to establish 32 new lots, one dedicated public reserve, and new public streets and lanes. This initiative supports the creation of a vibrant, mixed-use community through rezoning the land from its current “RR5” Rural Residential designation to a Planned Development Overlay (PDO), which will provide a tailored regulatory framework to guide future building and land use. The subdivided lots comprise 27 “R2” Residential Two-Family parcels suitable for duplexes or similar low-density housing, four “RMF-M” Residential Multi-Family (Medium) lots intended for mid-rise apartments or townhouse developments, one “CMU” Commercial Mixed Use lot to accommodate retail, office, or service-oriented businesses, and one “PR1” Parks and Recreation (Neighbourhood) lot designated as a public reserve to enhance community green space. This phase, for which municipal rezoning and subdivision approvals were granted in June 2025, lays the groundwork for initial residential and supporting development, including ties to federal efforts like Build Canada Homes to deliver approximately 320 affordable units on a prioritized parcel using modern construction methods. Subsequent phases of the broader Naawi-Oodena project on the Canada Lands side will involve additional subdivision applications, rezoning requests, and potential PDO amendments to realize the full vision of up to around 2,000 homes across the entire 160-acre site, alongside substantial commercial, cultural, and recreational elements in partnership with Treaty One First Nations

[esquire]

Maybe...depends on whether the decision gets appealed to the Supreme Court. That will add a year or so. And once the courts have spoken, there is still the matter of figuring out what to do with the land. This could be relatively quick if the lower court decisions are overturned, but it will probably take a while if the government is required to turn over the land to the bands with a claim, who then have to figure out what they will do with the land.

Bottom line, I don't expect to see anything happen on that site for at least another 5 years.

On the bright side, it is a good form of land-banking... with each decade that passes, the likelihood of seeing something suitably dense (relative to the rest of the area) goes up. Also, considering that commercial and residential development in the city is entering what appears to be a dry spell, maybe it's for the better that this land isn't hitting the market just yet.

[CoryB]

Couldn't the City reach an agreement with both sides in the Kapyong Barracks dispute that the widening of Kennaston benefits whomever ends up with the land at the end of the day? Then the widening of Kennaston could proceed without waiting for the rest of the claim to be resolved?

[esquire]

^ It might be theoretically possible but practically implausible given the number of actors involved. There are a lot of different groups and competing agendas... getting them to agree on something like that at this point would be very difficult.

[CoryB]

^^ Even if the Barracks is transferred to the Aboriginal group would the City not still be able to expropriated the land needed for Kenaston?

[The Unknown Poster]

What is Treaty 1's claim on this land? Why do they have a right to the land as opposed to taking part in any standard sale of the land as one of many potential developers who might be interested?

[Simplicity]

Originally Posted by CoryB

^^ Even if the Barracks is transferred to the Aboriginal group would the City not still be able to expropriated the land needed for Kenaston?

My guess is that the city might run into problems trying to exercise their eminent domain on what may ultimately end up as an urban reserve.

[esquire]

^ Long story short, probably well worth it for the City to let the dust settle first instead of trying to wrangle a complicated and potentially costly deal for something that isn't really a do or die project right now anyway.

[Riverman]

Why is this happening here? Why not at CFB Downsview?

[rypinion]

Originally Posted by Riverman

Why is this happening here? Why not at CFB Downsview?

Downsview isn't Treaty 1 territory?

[Komatiite]

Originally Posted by The Unknown Poster

What is Treaty 1's claim on this land? Why do they have a right to the land as opposed to taking part in any standard sale of the land as one of many potential developers who might be interested?

The Feds and Manitoba have recognized treaty land entitlement, so they were obligated to consult with FN on this particular piece of property. The fact that the court used the term "deep consultation" (i.e. $$$) means I would be shocked if this doesn't go to the SC.

[The Unknown Poster]

Originally Posted by Komatiite

The Feds and Manitoba have recognized treaty land entitlement, so they were obligated to consult with FN on this particular piece of property. The fact that the court used the term "deep consultation" (i.e. $$$) means I would be shocked if this doesn't go to the SC.

Does this mean they get dibs on the land without paying for it or that they get first right of refusal at fair market value?

[cheswick]

So the ruling was that the Canadian government had to (has to) consult with the affected first nations? I'm a little confused as to what that means. Is that just another way of saying that the land would be theirs, or is it a matter of financially compensating them or what?

[esquire]

Super quick and condensed guide to treaty land entitlement:

https://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1100100034819/1100100034820

Some Manitoba-specific info regarding entitlements:

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1305306991615/1305307177471

[Riverman]

I'm entitled to my entitilements.

[CoryB]

^^ Doing some quick reads: Sandy Bay is part of Treaty One and is not listed on the Treaty Land Agreement. It seems the other Treaty One members may have surrendered their right to claim Crown lands. If that is the case it could be the basis of the Government position in the court case.

[Komatiite]

Originally Posted by The Unknown Poster

Does this mean they get dibs on the land without paying for it or that they get first right of refusal at fair market value?

Originally Posted by cheswick

So the ruling was that the Canadian government had to (has to) consult with the affected first nations? I'm a little confused as to what that means. Is that just another way of saying that the land would be theirs, or is it a matter of financially compensating them or what?

The Treaty Land Entitlement Committee website provides some basic context to the dispute. I've parsed the following:

On May 29, 1997, the Manitoba Treaty Land Entitlement (“TLE”) Framework Agreement was signed between Canada, Manitoba and the Treaty Land Entitlement Committee of Manitoba Inc., on behalf of 19 Entitlement First Nations (EFNs), at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Manitoba.

The TLE Framework Agreement outlines how the parties have agreed to fulfill the outstanding TLE obligations in Manitoba arising from the Numbered Treaties. It sets out the principles, responsibilities and dispute resolution processes associated with the land selection and acquisition process to be undertaken by the EFNs.

The TLE Framework Agreement provides for up to a total of 1,100,626 acres of land and $76 million towards the process of selecting and acquiring lands to be set apart as reserve for the EFNs. Of the 1,100,626 acres, 985,949 is the Crown Land Amount to be selected and 114,677 is the acreage amount to be purchased, or acquired.

To date, 15 EFNs have executed their individual Treaty Entitlement Agreements (“TEAs”) under the TLE Framework Agreement and are currently engaged in the land selection and acquisition process.

You can read the full agreement here. The general principles for selecting land appear on page 35.

My read is that the court is basically saying give them the land, or pony up a settlement. I make that speculation based on the phrase, "deep consultation" which I never encountered in my days as a geologist working with First Nations on their traditional lands. For that reason, I cannot imagine the government just rolling over without a Supreme Court challenge.

Of course, who knows? I am neither involved nor a lawyer, so take it with a grain of salt.

[Danny D Oh]

Originally Posted by CoryB

^^ Even if the Barracks is transferred to the Aboriginal group would the City not still be able to expropriated the land needed for Kenaston?

Has the city every expropriated federal land without paying mega bucks for it? That's basically what this is. Would be interesting if it was sold to a private entity how that would be handled.

[Pegoise]

The City is a junior level of government and cannot exercise any authority on a senior level of government (province or feds and by extension - reserve) All would have to happen through negotiation and agreements.

[yellowghost]

If this eventually becomes a "urban reserve" with residential and retail developement, it might be a waste of money and time widening Kenaston street. Add the extra lane..if you will, but if history can teach you anything, it is that retail developements means more "intersection improvements" , in this case the construction of a intersection that did not exist, between taylor street and grant. Probably another one on grant also. This would counter balance any benefit of the extra lane. Possibly factor in additional crosswalks and longer redlights to account for people wandering to the other side.