Opaskwayak Cree Nation and its new Apartment Complex in Winnipeg

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The Chief and Council of Opaskwayak Cree Nation was in Winnipeg on January 11, 2023, with members of the federal government and of the provincial government to announce the construction of a new energy efficient apartment complex. The 7 story, energy efficient complex which has 69 rooms, will also have a heated underground parking space, free water, and high-speed internet. Opaskwayak will own and operate the new homes once the homes are complete. The complex is expected to be completed by summer of 2024.

 

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Opaskwayak Cree Nation is in northern Manitoba, but the apartment complex will be in Winnipeg on Young Street. Some of these units will be reserved for Post-Secondary First Nation students, young families, and elders and 40% of these units will be offered at discounted rates.

“This building not only allows our Cree Nation to start capitalizing within the real estate market, it will allow us a place in the city to house some of our own citizens who are leaving the North to begin their higher education journeys in the South. The lower rent would ease the financial stresses so that our sponsored students can focus on their schoolwork and their career paths, which in turn, will allow them to continue to make successful contributions to not only Opaskwayak but to the entire country.” said Opaskwayak Cree Nation Chief Sidney Ballantyne.

 

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Opaskwayak and Efficiency Manitoba

Efficiency Manitoba’s mission is ‘Efficiency Manitoba reduces energy consumption using innovative approaches that respect the environment and lead to economic benefits for Manitobans’.

Efficiency Manitoba’s mandate is developing and supporting energy efficiency initiatives to reduce electricity and consumption by 1.5% and natural gas by 0.75%. This program Efficiency Manitoba’s New Building Program has provided Opaskwayak Cree Nation with $105,000 in incentives. With the construction of this building, they will also include energy saving measures throughout the building to reduce energy costs.

At the OCN Child and Family Services Building on January 11, 2023, Opaskwayak Chief and Council completed a Pipe Ceremony which began with a drum song by Robert Obey and Clinton Whitehead and an Elder Irene Young said an opening prayer for the celebration of the apartment complex.

 

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The funding for this project is:

• $15.6 million from the federal government through the National Housing Strategy’s National Housing Co-Investment Fund. (In 2017, the Canadian Federal Government created the National Housing Strategy which offers a group of programs to ensure that everyone in Canada has a place to call home. These programs are overseen by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
• $105,000 in incentives from Efficiency Manitoba.
• $1.8 million from Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

 

At the OCN Child and Family Services Building on January 11, 2023, OCN’s Chief and Council completed a Pipe Ceremony which began with a Drum Song by Robert Obey and Clinton Whitehead and an Elder named Irene Young said an opening prayer for the celebration of the apartment complex.

The combined investment of over $17.4 million will address the shortage of affordable housing in Winnipeg. The anticipated energy saving measures will save up to $9,500.00 annually on your electricity bill. Another noteworthy achievement is because of the Efficiency Manitoba’s New Building Program and the energy performance of the completed building, it will be 16% better than what is required by the Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings and will also receive the ‘Efficiency Manitoba’s Energy Efficient’ certification once the building is complete- d said Manitoba Ministers of Families Rochelle Squires.

 

We wish OCN the best in this new endeavour!

By: Tricia Cook, Content Navigator