Opaskwayak Cree Nation Community Masterplan
OCN is a self-governing, self-sufficient, and independent Cree Nation with over 6,000 members living on over 15,000 acres of land in Northern Manitoba. OCN’s purpose is to heal and strengthen their community by advancing their independence and improving the lives of everyone in the community. In November 2019, OCN’s Chief and Council, along with other teams and leaders, discussed the future of OCN. Over two days, teams collaborated on the vision and goals of “Mino Pimatisiwin,” which means ‘The Good Life’ in Cree/Ojibwe.
In May 2021, the critical and strategic planning between OCN and the partnering teams explored and tested multiple designs and ideas for the 20-year Masterplans infrastructure. The community Masterplan development includes a list of projects identified by the Opaskwayak Comprehensive Community Plan from community needs, community leaders, department heads, and OCN’s Chief and Council.
The project team has developed ideas that they divided into four stages:
- Getting Started – The project team established a Steering Committee, researching the land and setting goals for this project.
- Visioning – discussions with the partnering teams and community contacts, program research, touring the site, and planning the preliminary development of the community's Masterplan.
- Refining – the review of the plans by the Steering Committee, Chief and Council, and Engineers for technical reviews, and following up on research by each department.
- Finalizing, Sharing, and Adopting – With the final 3D model and video production of the Masterplan, the Project Team presented the plan during the Opaskwayak Treaty Days.
Developmental Categories – Community Hubs
River Landing, Tourism, and Recreation:
- The entrance to the beautiful Opaskwayak Cree Nation, with plans for an amphitheater, festival grounds, a new Splashpark and play area for the children, and an outdoor marketplace. The Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre will be repurposed into an all-year community hall, or sportsplex, a new residential multiplex and two new arenas are in the plan, and a new camping site within walking distance from the OCN powwow grounds and a new camping RV site.
Commercial and Entertainment:
- The Otineka Mall will expand with a new office building, a small business strip mall for Opaskwayak’s Business Development Corporation and other private businesses and reconfigure the Tim Hortons drive-through and a new 12 to 16-pump Gas Station that will help improve traffic control. After completing a new residential multiplex, two arenas’, and an aquatic center with walking tracks while providing community space and Community Care spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Education, Health, and Wellness:
- The Joe A. Ross Elementary School will extend the school to add room for a Cree Immersion School. The Oscar Lathlin Collegiate will also expand to add a new Technical/Vocational High School plus a Post Secondary Internship and Research Centre. A road will also connect the schools to create an educational hub. The Aseneskak Casino will be relocated to build an all-new All Nations Health and Healing Centre and a new 60-bed Elder Personal Care Home that could turn into 100 beds. A retention lake will be constructed to encourage active living by swimming in the summer or skating in the winter.
Highway Commercial and Amisk Subdivision:
- The proposed plan includes a new casino, hotel, and conference center, requiring a new highway commercial area. A larger-scale development area may consist of a car dealership, a hardware store, a garden center, a mechanic shop, and a car wash. The Amisk 2 residential subdivision will have more than 500 new single-detached houses and 460 multi-family units. These housing units may come in apartment buildings, row housing, or side-by-side duplexes.
Other Developments included in the Community Masterplan are:
The Timberland Trailer Court will be redeveloped into Timberland Neighbourhoods 1 & 2. Apartment buildings, duplexes, and houses will be twice the size of the trailer court they have now. More residential buildings, trails, and a new skateboarding park will be constructed near the existing community center. A new community, cultural, and sporting event will be reconstructed from the current school grounds.
Opaskwayak has made two purchases for prime agricultural lands. ‘Pete’s Potatoes’’ prime land will allow OCN to grow their food produced from their lands. The other purchase was for ‘Donfield Farms’. The farm has various uses because of its industrial services, livestock operations, land for animals to graze, and indoor growing facilities.
Surrounded by nature, the Egg Lake Community Healing Centre will be the perfect place for individuals and families to heal. The Masterplan proposal also includes developing land off Sunset Beach Road for the Clearwater Lake Sunset Beach Resort. The resort will have a Spa, Retreat Area, cultural training center, and gathering space. Shelters like cabins, yurts, domes, or tipis will be available to rent while staying at the resort.
The Masterplan and the combined teams have set project goals as the plan comes into effect:
- Respecting Mother Earth and Nature with traditional land management and modern technologies.
- Integrating traditional knowledge and cultural traditions to keep the community connected with gathering spaces, trails, and roads.
- Accelerating the community’s independence through economic growth and skills development.
- Supporting the local economy and trade relationships by focusing on the development plan.
- To succeed in this plan, consider all aspects of infrastructures and departments.
- To listen and inspire all community members to be involved in the Masterplan that will be developed in 20 years.
With the Seven Sacred Teachings: Love, Respect, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility, Truth, and Courage, Opaskwayaks Leadership is addressing the needs of their community by bringing back their Cree language and culture. The community Masterplan will gain even more capacity and jobs while the vision becomes reality for this experienced, financially independent, and knowledgeable team.
Opaskwayak's dedication to their community is motivated by the community's needs by listening to and being accountable to their members. The long-term phased plans with opportunities for the members and partnerships to help improve the Opaskwayak Cree Nation economically and strengthen the Opaskwayaks “Mino Pimatisiwin” community for every generation to thrive.
By: Tricia Cook, Content Navigator