It was a historic day for Long Plain First Nation, which officially opened the first urban reserve in the city of Winnipeg on Friday.

An honour song started the ceremony as sage burned nearby on the two-acre plot of land near Polo Park, bounded by St. Matthews Avenue, Madison Street, Silver Avenue and Kensington Street.

The urban reserve is bounded by St. Matthews Avenue, Madison Street, Silver Avenue and Kensington Street. (Tyson Koschik/CBC)

Yellowquill College has been operating on the site for more than a year but the urban reserve agreement, signed last week between Long Plain and the federal government, now opens the door for more business, like a planned 80,000-square-foot office complex and gas station.

"This will open the doors for many opportunities — for economic development, for jobs and for resources that will go a long way for the future generations of our community," said Chief David Meeches.

He said he's proud to have the first urban reserve within city limits and hopes it paves the way for other First Nations in the province.

Long Plain is located southwest of Portage la Prairie along the Assiniboine River.