Naawi-Oodena (Anishinaabemowin; English: "centre of the heart and community") is the largest urban reserve in Manitoba and in Canada.
Description
Naawi-Oodena is a 64-hectare parcel of land located on the edge of Tuxedo and River Heights.[1]
History
The location was used by the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry until 2004.[1] In 2007 the Treasury Board of Canada sought to sell the land to crown corporation Canada Lands Company, but were met with objections from First Nations who claimed a right to the land.[2]
A September 2009 decision by a Canadian Federal Court judge blocked the government's plans,[3] citing a lack of consultaiton with the First Nation's groups.[2] The government appealed the court's decision, but lost the appeal in 2012.[2] In 2015, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the government would stop fighting and let the First Nations have the land.[2] Demolition of their Kapyong Barracks started in 2018.[1]
Legal ownership to seven First Nations in Treaty 1 territory occurred in 2019.[4] The seven nations include Brokenhead, Long Plain, Peguis, Roseau River, Sagkeeng, Sandy Bay and Swan Lake First Nations.[1]
Naawi-Oodena became the largest urban reserve in Manitoba and in Canada on December 16, 2022.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Shebahkeget, Ozten (19 Dec 2022). "Naawi-Oodena officially becomes largest urban reserve in Canada after repatriation of Winnipeg barracks". CBC.
- 1 2 3 4 "Kapyong Barracks court decision won't be appealed, says Stephen Harper". CBC. 22 Sep 2022.
- ↑ "Kapyong transfer invalid, court rules". CBC. 30 Sep 2009.
- ↑ Kavenagh, Sean (30 Aug 2019). "Kapyong Barracks signed over to First Nations group". CBC.