Construction could start on Naawi-Oodena — the urban reserve at the former Kapyong Barracks in Winnipeg — this summer, if all goes according to plan with a new tax deal.

“This is a true relationship with the City of Winnipeg as we move forward,” Whelan Sutherland, the CEO of Treaty 1 Development Corporation, told reporters Wednesday.

“This is independent land, however, we want to make sure that it works well with the city.”

The city’s executive policy committee voted Wednesday to unanimously approve a tax deal with Treaty 1 nations — Brokenhead, Long Plain, Peguis, Roseau River, Sagkeeng, Sandy Bay and Swan Lake. The agreement, called the Gaawijijigemangit Agreement, would see the nations collect the same business and property taxes as the City of Winnipeg.

The Treaty 1 corporation would use 65 per cent of that to pay for existing city services like sewage and policing. The other 35 per cent would be used for governance and administrative purposes, so they create their own services like building and maintaining roads.

Jolene Mercer, governance director for Treaty 1 Development Corporation, said this is a significant step toward self-governance. The tax deal was the biggest hurdle to clear with the city so they can proceed with plans, she said.

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