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This article was published 30/8/2019 (392 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

After 17 years of negotiations and legal battles, Treaty 1 First Nations signed a "huge" settlement agreement Friday to buy the former Kapyong barracks from the federal government.

"It’s a very, very beautiful day, historically, to be here with you," said Long Plain Chief Dennis Meeches, speaking on behalf of the seven Treaty 1 members.

Meeches has been involved from the beginning, even before the Canadian military base in southwest Winnipeg was vacated in 2004 — including an eight-year court battle with Ottawa that Treaty 1 First Nations ultimately won.

"This is huge — nobody really understands how huge this is," he said. "I’ve never seen this type of investment, this type of reconciliation… This is truly remarkable, what we’ve been able to achieve."

Treaty 1 First Nations will receive 68 per cent of the 160-acre site on Kenaston Boulevard.

Ottawa’s 50-acre allotment will be handed over to the Canada Lands Co., the Crown corporation specializing in real estate development.

"From the first day, I really believed we would come upon this day," said Meeches. "I knew it would take a long time… I really in my heart believed we would get this deal done."

The chief said it was important the Treaty 1 members came together as one to pursue the land. The final deal follows an agreement in principle signed in April by Brokenhead Ojibway, Sagkeeng, Long Plain, Peguis, Roseau River Anishinabe, Sandy Bay and Swan Lake.

Meeches said he heard criticism from his own people about how long the deal was taking, how much was spent in legal fees — which he pegs in the millions of dollars.

"I think the deal is very good for Treaty 1, obviously," Meeches said. "We’ll be able to recover that money in a short (period) of time."

The amount of money changing hands in the deal is not being released. Meeches said he'd support the release of the full agreement, but that wasn’t possible Friday. Officials couldn't say why.

However, the decade-plus wait isn’t over: a federal background document says it could be four or five years before the land transfer is complete.

The goal is to convert the 110-acre parcel into an urban reserve. Plans released late last year include a daycare, hotel, hospice and gas bar and sports facilities. Meeches hopes to have some buildings open for the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 1: Aug. 3, 2021.

Potential delays could come from the City of Winnipeg, which is looking to widen Kenaston Boulevard.

"The important thing to remember it’s entrenched in the agreement, so, whether it takes one year, two years, four years or longer — I can sleep at night, knowing it is entrenched, it will be a reserve," Meeches said.

Demolition of former military buildings on the site began began in 2018, and could take up to two more years.

Under Treaty Land Entitlement, First Nations that were shortchanged in the land they were supposed to receive in treaties are able to acquire available federal land. Among other things, it gives First Nations first refusal to purchase any surplus land.

"It is an honour to join you to mark another milestone in the transfer of the Kapyong barrack lands," said Winnipeg South Centre MP Jim Carr, calling it another step in reconciliation. "This is a great day, for all Canadians, for all Manitobans, for all Winnipeggers."

There are currently 10 urban reserves in Manitoba, including two in Winnipeg: Peguis First Nation at 1075 Portage Ave., and Long Plain First Nation at 490 Madison St.

Swan Lake First Nation has an urban reserve just outside of city limits, in Headingley.

"I believe that our ancestors are smiling on us today," said Brokenhead Chief Deborah Smith. "Today signifies, for me, economic reconciliation."

tvanderhart@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @tessavanderhart