Opening day nears for south Winnipeg development Naawi-Oodena's first business
Oodena Gas & Convenience will open to the public June 30. Representatives from the Treaty One Development Corp. held a soft opening event for the gas bar, located at 1871 Taylor Ave., on Monday.
'It's really exciting to finally be able to open up a business here,' said T1DC president and Sagkeeng First Nation Chief E.J. Fontaine. 'This is just the start.'
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Several guests and dignitaries get their photo taken at the soft opening of Oodena Gas & Convenience Monday, the very first business to open in south Winnipeg's Naawi-Oodena urban economic development zone.
Naawi-Oodena, which means 'centre of the heart' or 'centre of our community,' is planned to eventually become a $1 billion-plus development across 109 acres of the former Kapyong barracks. It's owned by the seven First Nations who were signatories to Treaty 1 (in 1871), under the T1DC banner.
T1DC chose to build Oodena Gas & Convenience first because many First Nations have experience developing gas bars and it's 'an easy win,' Fontaine said.
'We needed to get some cash flow into the development corporation,' he said. 'Now that (the gas bar is almost) open, we're really pleased with it. It's a nice store.'
Ultimately, for Treaty 1 members, it's more than a gas bar, Fontaine said: it's the first step in transforming Naawi-Oodena into a vibrant economic hub.
'To us, it's a symbol of progress.'
'It's really exciting to finally be able to open up a business here … This is just the start.'–Sagkeeng First Nation Chief E.J. Fontaine
Naawi-Oodena is the result of years of hard work by former and current First Nations leaders, noted Brokenhead Ojibway Chief Gordon BlueSky.
The Treaty One Nations chairperson recalled attending a public discussion around a decade ago, at which some attendees voiced their uncertainty about the business park.
'I've seen that attitude change quite drastically,' BlueSky said. 'I think people are starting to understand here that First Nation prosperity isn't something to be fearful of. We've lived in oppression for far too long.'
Naawi-Oodena allows First Nations people to shape how the land is used, how it generates income and how it serves the community, according to BlueSky. The gas bar is 'a very exciting first step for our nations and Treaty 1 community.'
The internal design team that worked on the 2,450-square-foot gas bar wanted it to be an inviting space, said Ashley Peebles, Treaty One Nations design and development planner. The team incorporated wood elements to give the store warmth and signage is posted in the Anishinaabemowin language and English.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
From left, Chief David Meeches, Long Plain First Nation, Chief E.J. Fontaine Sagkeeng First Nation, Chief Trevor Prince, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, Chief Gordon Bluesky, Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, and AMC Grand Chief Kyra Wilson inside the Oodena Gas & Convenience, Monday.
A giant upside-down V frames the building's front entrance.
'It was meant to be a teepee, but also it could signify an arrow pointing up — pointing towards the sky, pointing north,' Peebles said. 'It's kind of open for interpretation.'
Among the usual fare customers expect in a convenience store, Oodena carries a variety of products made in Manitoba.
'We have your typical Coke and Pepsi products … but we really want to push a lot of local and Indigenous-owned stuff here,' said Tyrell Courchene, store manager.
Courchene added he's 'a bit nervous' about the gas bar's upcoming opening, but he's confident things will go well.
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'It's exciting,' he said. 'We've got a good location here (and) we've got a good crew of people.'
Twenty-five employees have been hired to support the store's operations, including two full-time supervisors. Per a news release, 96 per cent of the employees are First Nations members and 84 per cent are members of one of the seven Treaty 1 First Nations.
The gas bar will be open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight to start, Courchene said, eventually moving to being open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for July 25, and will kick off the fourth annual Anishinaabe Days event at Naawi-Oodena. The grand opening is open to the public and will include free food, cultural programming and voucher giveaways.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS
Treaty One leadership were on hand for the Soft Opening of Oodena Gas & Convenience, the very first business to open on Naawi-Oodena — a long-awaited development which has been over 20 years in the making.
In the meantime, the first Naawi‑Oodena Seasonal Market will start operating Tuesday and continue bi-weekly on Tuesdays through the end of September.
The market is designed to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and artisans by offering a consistent venue for commerce and community engagement on the Naawi‑Oodena lands. Market hours are 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and a selection of food trucks will be on site.
Spending money at Indigenous businesses is a great way for the average Manitoban to practice reconciliation, BlueSky said.
'It's coming into our businesses (and) it's spending money in our facilities,' he said. 'The biggest step I believe is just supporting us.'
T1DC and federal Crown corporation Canada Lands Co. are working together to develop Naawi‑Oodena.
Treaty 1 First Nations are responsible for the development of 68 per cent of the land, which will be primarily commercial and institutional development. Canada Lands has the remaining 32 per cent, which will be primarily residential development.
aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca
Aaron EppReporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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