New federal funding to help Naawi-Oodena advance to next stage

The federal government is providing nearly $800,000 to help advance development of Naawi-Oodena.

On Thursday, Minister of Indigenous Services Mandy Gull-Masty visited the former Kapyong Barracks site, where she announced federal funding of $789,490 to advance planning to its next stages.

The money will fund site servicing design, surveying, engineering and cost estimates to allow the construction of essential infrastructure.

“The significance of this investment cannot be overstated,” Gull-Masty said.

“It is forecasted that the community benefit in those phases alone will be over $23 million and there will be many more milestones for us to celebrate together in the future.”

The future development of Naawi-Oodena, located at the northeast corner of Kenaston Boulevard and Taylor Avenue, includes commercial, cultural, recreational and community spaces, as well as nearly 5,000 housing units.

In June, CTV News reported the opening of Oodena Gas and Convenience—the first business to open on the property owned by a group of seven Manitoba First Nations.

The first section of the development is expected to be completed by 2028, while the entire property will take up to 20 years to finish.

• With files from CTV’s Katherine Dow and Devon McKendrick.