Treaty 1 First Nations leaders say gas bar at Naawi-Oodena will bring 'a brighter economic future'
Oodena Gas & Convenience at 1871 Taylor Ave. in Winnipeg will open to the public on June 30
Treaty One First Nations leaders say the new gas bar at the Naawi-Oodena development will lead to "a brighter economic future for our people," creating jobs and business opportunities at the former Kapyong Barracks site in Winnipeg.
On Monday, Treaty One Development Corp. held a soft opening event for the Oodena Gas & Convenience filling station. It is set to open to the public on June 30, operating every day for 24 hours a day.
"It's a symbol of hope. It's a symbol of progress. It's a symbol of a brighter economic future for our people," said Sagkeeng First Nation Chief E.J. Fontaine, who is the development company's president.
The gas bar is the first business to open on the Naawi-Oodena lands, a 64-hectare area that became the largest urban reserve in Canada in 2022, when the lands were repatriated to the seven Treaty One First Nations: Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Long Plain First Nation, Peguis First Nation, Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation, Sagkeeng First Nation, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation and Swan Lake First Nation.
Fontaine said the developer recently got approval to start building a nine-storey, 260-unit apartment complex in the area. It will soon start work on a more than 1,300 square-metre retail space, he said.
When completed, Naawi-Oodena — which translates to "centre of the heart and community" in Anishinaabemowin — will become Canada's largest Indigenous urban economic zone, with residential units, retail spaces, restaurants and a health hub.
According to a Treaty One news release, the gas station has hired 25 staff members, with all but one being First Nations members. The vast majority of staff are from Treaty One First Nations.
"The gas bar is the start of something much bigger. It's the start of an economic development that's going to have economic spin-off benefits, not only for our people, but for the entire city, the entire province," Fontaine said.
The filling station is located at 1871 Taylor Ave., a nod to the year Treaty One was officially signed.
Brokenhead Chief Gord Bluesky, who is also the Treaty One Nations chairperson, said Treaty One leaders have worked for two decades to see this land repatriated. Establishing the Naawi-Oodena development's first business at 1871 Taylor Ave. shows "these things are meant to be," Bluesky said.
"I'm just proud to be standing here, along with my fellow leadership, here to acknowledge the hard work that the staff has done, but also the past and present leadership, the work they've done to get us to this point," he said.
The land along Kenaston Boulevard had been vacant since the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, left the barracks in 2004 and moved to a base near Brandon.
Dennis Meeches, former chief with Long Plain First Nation, was among the leaders who initiated the two-decade-long land claim battle.
On Monday, Meeches pumped gas at the Oodena station for the first time.
"It's a real blessing that we're finally here after a long drawn-out journey," he said.
"I think now that we're here, people will see the true benefit of what this urban reserve will bring to the city, the province and the country."
Oodena Gas & Convenience opens to the public next week.
A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony is set for July 25 to kick off the annual Anishinaabe Days event, with free food and cultural activities.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With files from Felisha Adam