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Tsuut’ina Nation is adding more than 300 hectares of land, directly north of its borders, to its reserve with plans to convert the area into a residential development.
The deal involves a 376-hectare area, formerly known as Elbow View lands, which is currently owned by land developer Qualico Communities. The area runs along Highway 8, currently in Rocky View County, west of Calgary.
Tsuut’ina Nation said this week that it’s working to secure and develop 971 hectares of land in total north of its borders. But it said negotiations to acquire the other 595 hectares are still ongoing. The nation did not disclose whom it’s negotiating with to secure the rest of the land.
The nation’s agreement with Qualico has been in the works for roughly three years, and calls for a 50-50 partnership between the two partners to develop the land. They plan for a community where residents own homes on land leased to them in long-term agreements with the nation.
“What it means to us is a larger footprint in our economic development,” said Ellery Starlight, head chief of Tsuut’ina Nation.
“We’re looking to add to the reserve where Qualico has agreed that the land can be converted into reserve land.”
The land addition builds on Tsuut’ina Nation’s acquisition of the Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch, located in Bragg Creek, last year.
It also follows the new 190-hectare Taza Park development, on Tsuut’ina Nation, which welcomed its first residents in March. Taza Development Corporation, a 50-50 partnership between the nation and real estate development firm Canderel, is behind the project.
Thilo Kaufmann, Qualico’s vice president of community development in Southern Alberta, said the land lease arrangement is similar to Redwood Meadows, a townsite on Tsuut’ina Nation, and Calgary’s University District, where residents own homes on land leased out in 99-year terms by the University of Calgary.
Kaufmann said the agreement to bring Qualico-owned land into Tsuut’ina’s reserve stemmed from a good working relationship over several years.
“We just said why can’t we do a deal together, as part of our overall relationship and then create economic benefits for the nation and ourselves. It just snowballed from there,” said Kaufmann.
He added that one to two years of consultation will be needed first with Tsuut’ina Nation members to discuss the community’s infrastructure and environmental needs, and what they want to see from the development.
Tsuut’ina-based firm Aubin Consulting will work with the two partners to lead community engagement on the development.
Adding to the reserve will also involve transferring land from Alberta to the Government of Canada, which Ottawa will need between six and 24 months to approve, Kaufmann said.
Construction on the development could begin as early as fall 2028, Kaufmann said.