Winnipeg gets first urban reserve

It was a historic day for Long Plain First Nation, which officially opened the first urban reserve in the city of Winnipeg on Friday.

An honour song started the ceremony as sage burned nearby on the two-acre plotof land near Polo Park, bounded by St. Matthews Avenue, Madison Street, Silver Avenue and Kensington Street.

Yellowquill College has been operating on the site for morethan ayear but the urban reserve agreement, signed last week between Long Plain and the federal government, now opens the door for more business, like a planned 80,000-square-foot office complex andgas station.

"This will open the doors for many opportunitiesfor economic development, for jobs and for resources that will go a long way for the future generations of our community," said Chief David Meeches.

He saidhe's proud to have the first urban reserve within city limits and hopes it paves the way for other First Nations in the province.

Long Plain is located southwest of Portage la Prairie along the Assiniboine River.