Plans for former Kapyong Barracks unveiled

A First Nations development group is sharing its vision for a site that has sat empty for almost two decades.

On Thursday, Treaty 1 Development Corporation announced its Preferred Concept Plan after receiving community feedback.

The new development will include residential areas, a gas bar, and commercial space. Greenspace and biking trails in harmony with current active transportation paths are included in the plan.

First Nation cultures and art will be a strong element in the development.

The group says the Niswi (three in Anishinaabemowin) pattern designed by Destiny Seymour is based on a 3,000-year-old pottery pattern from Treaty One territory.

They say over 3,000 Manitobans voiced their opinions on the project.

“This level of engagement is exciting,” Chris Elkey, Vice President, Real Estate West of Canada Lands says in a release. “After we had to cancel our in-person information sessions due to the pandemic, we innovated and turned to virtual options. The response has been outstanding.”

The group saw only three per cent of people disagree with the plans, and 74 per cent said the project was "headed in the right direction."

“Most striking about the advice offered was the consistency in views,” Whelan Sutherland, CEO of the Treaty One Development Corporation (T1DC) says in a release. “As a key priority, those who participated want us to create a community that will be well integrated with the surrounding neighbourhoods.”

The new development will focus on community. The site will celebrate First Nations culture while inviting Winnipeggers into the space.

The demolition of the former DND buildings is set to be completed by October 2021.

The groups will next be focusing on create transportation, stormwater, and wastewater plans for space, which will need to be approved by the City of Winnipeg.

Treaty 1 First Nations will be developing 109 acres and Canada Lands Company will develop 32 per cent.

The seven owners of Treaty 1 Development Corporation are:

Brokenhead Ojibway Nation
Long Plain First Nation
Peguis First Nation
Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation
Sagkeeng First Nation
Sandy Bay First Nation
Swan Lake First Nation

In 2004, the long strip of land along Kenaston Boulevard was left when the military group who occupied the land moved to the base in Shilo, Manitoba. No longer in use, the area was set to be sold by Department of National Defense in 2007. After petitioning for almost a decade for the land following the Treaty Land Entitlement, in 2018 seven Treaty 1 First Nations signed an agreement to transfer the area to them.