Latest news with #TreatyLandEntitlement
Winnipeg Free Press
05-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Brokenhead Ojibway Nation plans 60 acres of economic expansion
Brokenhead Ojibway Nation Chief Gordon Bluesky's field of dreams is one step closer to reality. 'I call it that because I always drive past it and say it's going to be something one day,' he said, standing in front of a 60-acre soybean field on the northeast edge of Winnipeg. The goal is to turn it into 60 acres of residential, commercial and retail development. NICOLE BUFFIE / FREE PRESS Brokenhead Ojibway Nation Chief Gordon Bluesky on the East St. Paul farm field recently designated as reserve land. On Friday, Bluesky announced the parcel of land had been successfully transferred to the Manitoba First Nation from the Rural Municipality of East St. Paul, 16 years after it was initially purchased through a federal Treaty Land Entitlement claim. The land sits within the RM, on the boundary of the City of Winnipeg, east of Highway 59 and south of the Perimeter Highway. Bluesky is eyeing the area as the next opportunity for economic prosperity for Brokenhead and the areas it surrounds. 'We've already increased the land value around our main reserve with the developments that we have there,' the chief said. 'The work that we're going to be doing on these lands doesn't just benefit First Nations people.' The transfer to reserve land is the first step in the site's redevelopment. Next will come consultations with surrounding landowners and community members from Brokenhead to see what is desired for the area. Affordable housing and retail are among the amenities expected to be built on the land, Bluesky said. The parcel is part of 480 acres previously purchased by the First Nation in the late 2000s. It was only recently was transferred to reserve status through the federal claim agreement, with a push by the provincial government through an order in council. Brokenhead also owns land in the RMs of Lac du Bonnet, Alexander and East St. Paul, and within Winnipeg (including the Westwood Village Inn and property on Nairn Avenue which is currently going through the reserve creation process). 'We're trying to fulfill our treaty land entitlement, which is an outstanding obligation from 1871 — our people were promised these lands,' Bluesky said. Federal Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs Rebecca Chartrand (Churchill—Keewatinook Aski) attended the ceremony on behalf of Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty. Chartrand called the transferred land a foundation for community prosperity. 'These new lands open doors, they bring opportunity through jobs, investment and thriving business that lift up entire communities.' NICOLE BUFFIE / FREE PRESS Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said urban reserves are a testament to the economic sovereignty of First Nations communities and looks forward to seeing more urban First Nations development. Since 2006, more than one million acres across Canada have been transferred to reserves, Chartrand added. In Manitoba, about 10 other First Nations are eyeing transfers through Treaty Land Entitlement claims, which Chartrand said she would help advocate for. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Bluesky compared the 60-acre parcel to the 160-acre Naawi-Oodena site along a portion of Kenaston Boulevard in south Winnipeg. The former Canadian Armed Forces land is jointly owned by the seven Treaty 1 Nations (Brokenhead, Long Plain, Peguis, Roseau River, Sagkeeng, Sandy Bay and Swan Lake). Naawi-Oodena recently opened its first business at the site: a gas bar/convenience store. Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Kyra Wilson said urban reserves are a testament to the economic sovereignty of First Nations communities and she looks forward to seeing more such development. 'We are strong in our business, we're strong in our vision and it's about reclaiming that land and those spaces,' she said. Nicole BuffieMultimedia producer Nicole Buffie is a multimedia producer who reports for the Free Press city desk. Born and bred in Winnipeg, Nicole graduated from Red River College's Creative Communications program in 2020 and worked as a reporter throughout Manitoba before joining the Free Press newsroom in 2023. Read more about Nicole. Every piece of reporting Nicole produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Cision Canada
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and Canada announce new Addition to Reserve in Manitoba Français
BROKENHEAD OJIBWAY NATION, MB, Treaty 1 Territory, July 4, 2025 /CNW/ - Adding land to reserves contributes to First Nations development of healthier, more sustainable communities, which benefits both their own and neighbouring communities. Today, Chief Gordon Bluesky of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation and the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced the expansion of the First Nation's land base through the Addition to Reserve process. A parcel of land in the Rural Municipality of East St. Paul, totalling 60.76 acres (24.59 hectares), was recently added to Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. The parcel is primarily agricultural and will provide land for traditional use such as hunting, trapping, and gathering, as well as economic development opportunities. In addition to the economic opportunities, reserve creation demonstrates Canada's ongoing work to respect Treaty obligations and advance reconciliation based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership. This new reserve creation is another important step to advancing reconciliation and building a stronger, more united Canada in partnership with First Nations. Quotes "Today we have reached another economic milestone for our Baaskaandibewiziibing Anishinaabe, in seeing the partial fulfillment of our outstanding Treaty Land Entitlement. My Council and I look forward to the continued collaboration with the Federal and Provincial governments in fulfilling our Treaty obligations. I give thanks to all the past leadership in helping us get to where we are today. Meegwetch." Chief Gordon BlueSky Brokenhead Ojibway Nation "Through the expansion of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation's land base, we are not only advancing Reconciliation and fulfilling past obligations under the Treaty Land Entitlement process, we're also creating new opportunities for growth and development. In doing so, we're building a stronger, more resilient, united Canada." The Honourable Rebecca Alty Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations "Today's announcement is the result of the planning and hard work of Brokenhead Ojibway Nation. The addition of land to reserve will enhance opportunities for economic growth and support the Nation's development goals. I wish Chief Bluesky and Brokenhead Ojibway Nation great success and look forward to seeing the positive role this will have on the community." The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty Minister of Indigenous Services Quick facts Additions to Reserve and Reserve Creation are part of the Government of Canada's overall efforts to advance reconciliation by facilitating First Nation self-sufficiency. This parcel was added to Brokenhead Ojibway Nation's land base to fulfill obligations under the Treaty Land Entitlement process. Brokenhead Ojibway Nation is located approximately 64 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg. The community has a population of 693 members living on-reserve, with a total population of 2,301. Associated links Stay connected Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada: X: @GCIndigenous GovCan – North Facebook: @GCIndigenous GovCan – North Instagram: @gcindigenous GovCan North You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
