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This article was published 8/10/2015 (1811 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The widening of Kenaston Boulevard ought to be fast-tracked while Treaty 1 bands work on a deal to buy Kapyong Barracks, says Long Plain First Nation Chief Dennis Meeches.

Meeches, who joked he’d been stuck in Kenaston traffic jams just like most Winnipeggers, said he’s pushing for dual-track negotiations, allowing the city to be involved in talks for the 10 acres of Kapyong it needs while the federal government and the Treaty 1 bands work on the overall land deal.

"It’s high on the radar for everyone in the city," said Meeches of Kenaston’s overhaul. "We should have already had Kenaston Boulevard widened five, six years ago."

Meeches was joined Thursday by Swan Lake First Nation Chief Francine Meeches and the city’s former top planner, Harry Finnigan, for a lunch-hour panel discussion about urban reserves and the fate of Kapyong Barracks. The event was hosted by the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce and the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.

The sold-out lunch heard the province is far behind on the creation of urban reserves. There are dozens elsewhere in Canada and only one in Winnipeg proper. The seven Treaty 1 bands hope to acquire Kapyong Barracks and turn some or all of the 160 acres into a common, Treaty 1 reserve.

Last month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in town for a campaign stop, revealed his government would not appeal the latest federal court decision on Kapyong Barracks. Instead, area chiefs said negotiations with the federal government — stalled for eight years during the court fight — are underway.

Dennis Meeches said Thursday Ottawa has tabled an offer to the bands, one he said was quite positive. He said the bands hope to present a counter offer within 30 days.

BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Traffic on Keniston near Kapyong Barracks.

Meeches told the lunch any First Nations development at Kapyong will blend into the neighbourhood.

"I want to try and win over Tuxedo," quipped Meeches. "I don’t have a lot of friends there."

Meeches said Canada is eager to have Canada Lands, the Crown redevelopment firm, involved in any building plans. In Vancouver, following years of wrangling, the federal government recently sold three surplus federal properties, including the old Jericho air base, to Canada Lands Company and three area First Nations for $307.2 million.

Finnigan said before work on Kapyong’s future was stalled by lawsuits, city planners prepared for Kapyong’s redevelopment by visiting a similar urban infill project by Canada Lands in Calgary and were very impressed.

"We are in a position to make something really spectacular happen in our city," said Finnigan, who made a pitch for proper planning, involving months of genuine neighbourhood consultation and an area structure plan.

Former national chief Ovide Mercredi, who launched the panel discussion, said urban reserves are a way Canada can make good on the contract it signed with southern Manitoba First Nations in 1871 and help indigenous people participate fully in the economy.

"I see it as a way of elevating my people from poverty," said Mercredi. "Our people need a foothold in cities."

He admonished Winnipeggers to avoid the kinds of divisions that could stymie First Nations and the economic growth of the city.

"No country has ever become a great nation that listens to the racists in their population," said Mercredi.

maryagnes.welch@freepress.mb.ca