Kapyong Barracks deal could be close, chief says

A deal to develop the long-vacant Kapyong Barracks land in Winnipeg may be close.

The former Canadian Forces base on Kenaston Boulevard has been the focus of a dispute between a group ofsix Manitoba First Nations and the federal governmentsince the base closed in 2004.

That year,the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, relocated to CFB Shilo near Brandon, Man.

The 90-acre barracks site is located on some of Winnipeg's most valuable property, nestled between Tuxedo and River Heights, two affluent Winnipeg neighbourhoods.

The group ofFirst Nations originally it was seven, butBrokenhead First Nationpulled outasked a federal court in 2009 tooverturn a federal government decision to transfer the property over to the Canada Lands Co, a Crown corporation that was to oversee the land's re-development and resale.

The group said the landshould be going to First Nations who have pending treaty land-entitlement claims.

In September 2009,Justice Douglas Campbell declared the transfer invalid, saying the federal government didn't do enough consultation with First Nations groups over the future use of the land, which does not include the swath of homes in the area that used to be residences for soldiers and their families.

Sagkeeng First Nation Chief Donovon Fontaine says negotiations with Ottawa are going well and both sides want to avoid more years of legal battles.

"Discussions have really picked up and things are moving along fast in a positivedirection and I think we are very close now tofinalizing something," he said.

Hewon't reveal detailsbut did sayit could include an urban reserve, green space, and housing for First Nations people.

"We don't rule anything out and say, 'this is the way it's going to be'because there's such potential there and there's quite a bit of landthere," Fontaine said.

The First Nationsbands want to participate in the economic growth of Winnipeg, he added.

"Of course, the NHL team and the [national human rights] museum coming up and now recently Ikea, so the city is advancing too, and there is nothing wrong with First Nations being a part of that movement," Fontaine said.

"We are big part of the population here. A lot of our people come to the city."

If a deal can't be reached both sides will be forced to return to court in early December.

Lawyer Norman Boudreau, who represents the First Nations, did not want to comment on the matter.