“SCO and True North are working together to make positive advances on a shared journey to reconciliation.” – Grand Chief Daniels
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 5, 2024
ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is pleased to share new details about our intent to partner in the redevelopment of Portage Place in downtown Winnipeg.
Today, representatives from SCO joined the Province of Manitoba and True North Real Estate Development to share information about the redevelopment project, including the creation of a 15-storey Multi-Family Tower that will include affordable and accessible, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units along with a 12-storey Healthcare Centre for Excellence to be built in the heart of downtown Winnipeg.
“The Southern Chiefs’ Organization is pleased to advance our partnership with True North Real Estate Development, and we express gratitude to the Province of Manitoba for their support of this exciting project. This Portage Place initiative will provide a hub of housing and health that will strengthen our downtown,” said SCO Grand Chief Jerry Daniels. “Together with True North, we have agreed to principles of shared ownership and key priorities for a multi-family tower that will provide much-needed safe, accessible, and affordable housing in downtown Winnipeg with a direct connection to our Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project at the former HBC building.”
Construction on the multi-family tower and the Healthcare Centre for Excellence is planned to begin in 2025. The new housing tower will anchor the west pad of the Portage Place redevelopment, providing a physical and symbolic connection to SCO’s Wehwehneh Bahgahkinahgohn project in the former Hudson’s Bay Company Building by way of the skywalk bridge connecting the two developments.
In December 2023, SCO and True North made a commitment to work on the Portage Place redevelopment together. The two organizations have now signed a Letter of Intent regarding shared ownership of the multi-family tower.
“Reconciliation, inclusion, and building thriving communities are core elements of the partnership between True North and SCO. I am glad to know the redevelopment of Portage Place will increase opportunities for mentorship, on-the-job-training, and leadership for First Nation citizens throughout the duration of the project,” stated Chief Cornell McLean of the Lake Manitoba First Nation.
“Once the construction and redevelopment work is complete, Portage Place will have more neighbourhood services, such as a grocery store and urban greenspaces,” shared Grand Chief Daniels. “SCO is excited to have a role in ensuring that the beauty and strength of our First Nations are incorporated and reflected in the redevelopment of Portage Place. We are committed to helping create a positive new legacy for downtown Winnipeg.”
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The Southern Chiefs’ Organization represents 34 First Nations and more than 87,000 citizens in what is now called southern Manitoba. SCO is an independent political organization that protects, preserves, promotes, and enhances First Nations peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process.
For media inquiries:
Email: Media@scoinc.mb.ca