'A long time coming': Treaty 1 chiefs, federal government have 'Agreement in Principle' for Kapyong Barracks

After more than a decade of court wrangling and negotiation, the Government of Canada and Treaty One First Nations have reached an Agreement in Principle for Winnipeg's KapyongBarracks.

The announcement came from seven First Nations andDefence MinisterHarjitSajjanWednesday morning.

"I am absolutely excited about it," said Long Plain Chief DennisMeecheson Tuesday. "It's been a long time coming."

Meechesspokeon behalf of six other Treaty 1First Nations chiefs involved in the negotiations: Jim Bear ofBrokenhead OjibwayNation; Glenn Hudson ofPeguisFirst Nation; Craig Alexander from Roseau RiverAnishinabeFirst Nation; Derrick Henderson ofSagkeengFirst Nation; Lance Roulette ofSandy Bay First Nation; and FrancineMeeches fromSwan Lake First Nation.

The agreement is an important milestone and will be used to develop a Final Settlement Agreement, which "will include terms for the sale and future use" of the property, said Sajjan.

"This Agreement in Prinicple is the result of many years of negotiation and dialogue, and is an important milestone in transferring the Kapyong Barracks lands."

One clear priority isKenastonBoulevard. The city made plans in 2012 to widenKenastonto six lanes, but it needs to acquire 30 parcels of theKapyongsite to do.

"For sure, it's a priority for us," saidMeeches. "Probably our No. 1 priority."

He hopes that negotiations with the city will begin soon.

In the meantime, demolition of buildings and infrastructure on site will continue by the Department of National Defense. The DND started demolishing homes on Kenaston Avenue earlier this year. Demolition is expected to take two years in two phases.

The DNDsays it's too early to speculate on the future of the land.

• Winnipeg takes another step towardKenastonwidening with St. James Bridge replacement study
• River Heights residents angry with city after homes torn down

The abandoned military basewest ofKenastonat Grant Avenuehas been sitting empty since 2004, when the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry was moved to Canadian Forces BaseShilo, near Brandon, Man., and the Canadian Forces declared the site surplus.

The federal Treasury Board tried to sell the site to a Crown corporation, but the group of Treaty 1 First Nations challenged the decision, saying they had a right to the land under outstanding Treaty Land Entitlement claims.

It's uncertain what the land is officially worth, but commercial real estate agent JoeBanfieldestimated in 2015the value could be between$65 and $90 million, depending on zoning and land use.

In 2009, Justice Douglas Campbellruled the transfer illegitimate, siding with First Nations who said they weren't adequately consulted.

The federal government appealed several times before then-prime ministerStephen Harper announced in 2015that his government would no longer pursue an appeal.

While negotiations between the federal government and the Treaty 1 nations continued, last May the Department of National Defence began tearing down some structures on the property.

• Military begins tearing down houses nearKapyongBarracks
• KapyongBarracks demolition will begin in 2017, federal government says

"We've come out of a very long, unnecessary journey," Meeches said.

"A lot of this could have been achieved a long time ago, but obviously land claims are very, very complicated. It's unfortunate it had to take this long. We're hoping to move pretty quick on what the future holds forKapyong."

River Heights-Fort Garry Coun. John Orlikow, whose ward would be affected by the widening of Kenaston,said he was invited by Winnipeg South Centre MP Jim Carr's office to Wednesday's event, but won't be able to attend due to a meeting of the city's executive policy committee at 9 a.m.

"Looking forward to seeing what type of development is proposed," he said.

A look inside Kapyong, back in 2012:

Kapyong Barracks

12 years ago

Duration 2:12

CBC's Sean Kavanagh goes on an exclusive tour of a former military site that now has some of the most valuable and unused land in Winnipeg.