First Nations groups seek 'significant benefit' from LeBreton redevelopment

Aboriginal groups are watching the redevelopment of LeBretonFlats closely, and looking to form lasting partnerships with the proponents behind the winning proposal.

The land sitson traditional Algonquin territory, and local Indigenous leaderssay they're eager to find out how theproject will impacttheir communities.

We're looking for and seeking some significant benefit.-KirbyWhiteduck,chief of the Algonquins ofPikwakanaganFirst Nation

KirbyWhiteduck,chief of the Algonquins ofPikwakanaganFirst Nation, said he wants his people to benefit from theredevelopment in a meaningful way.

"Not just street signs and some plaques or something ... We're looking for and seeking some significant benefit," Whiteduck said.

Whiteduck said he wants along-term strategy that goes beyondemployment and training, lastinguntil construction is done.

TheSenators-backed RendezVousLeBretonGroupwon the bid overDevcore CanderelDLS Groupto redevelop LeBreton Flats on Thursday. The projectisexpected to cost several billion dollarsandwill seetheOttawa Senators hockey franchise move to a new downtown arena.

Economic development

"It's really important for the Algonquins to participate in the economic development that flows from that project," said Bob Potts,apartner at the law firmBlaneyMcMurtryLLP in Toronto. The firm istheprincipal negotiator and senior legal counsel for the Algonquins of Ontario, currentlyin treaty negotiations with the governments of Canada and Ontario.

The National Capital Commission held twoinformation sessionswith members of the region'sAlgonquin communities in Januaryand February.

In an emailto CBC News, NCC spokesmanMarioTremblaydescribed the meetings as"positive," and saidformal consultations with Algonquin leaders will take placein the coming months.