Tsuut'ina Nation's Taza Park Welcomes First Residents in Historic Indigenous-Led Development
In a significant milestone for Indigenous-led urban development, Taza Park on the Tsuut'ina Nation in Calgary officially welcomed its first residents on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The event marked the beginning of residential life within the ambitious Taza development, which represents one of the largest Indigenous-led projects of its kind in North America.
A Partnership for Progress
The development is being spearheaded by Taza Development Corp., a 50-50 partnership between Tsuut'ina Nation and Canadian developer Canderel. This collaboration has created a unique model that blends economic opportunity with cultural preservation and community building.
"This footprint is the beginning stages of our future," said Minor Chief Zachary Manywounds during the welcoming ceremony. "This home, and all the homes that will continue to be built here as Taza continues to grow, is not only unique, it's innovative and special, and it's connected to our ancestors."
Expansive Vision for Community Growth
The broader Taza development spans an impressive 1,200 acres, with Taza Park occupying 470 acres of that total. The community represents a comprehensive approach to urban living that includes:
- Up to 6,500 planned homes
- Retail and commercial spaces
- Community gathering areas
- Nearly 50 acres of ponds, wetlands, and parks
What makes this development particularly noteworthy is its inclusive approach. The community will be open not just to members of the Tsuut'ina Nation, but to any Calgary residents seeking housing in this innovative environment.
Unique Land Ownership Structure
James Robertson, president of Taza Development Corp., explained the distinctive land arrangement that characterizes the development. "Because the homes are built on Tsuut'ina Nation, residents will own or rent the home, but not the land itself," he said.
Robertson compared the arrangement to established models in Alberta: "We can think of the town of Banff, the town of Jasper, University District, where the land is held by an organization. We call it a prepaid lease, so there's no ongoing payments. You can mortgage your property, you pay property tax. Everything looks and feels just like it does everywhere else in the marketplace."
Cultural Integration and Economic Opportunity
The development represents more than just housing construction—it embodies a vision for sustainable community growth that honors Indigenous heritage while creating economic opportunities. Manywounds emphasized this dual benefit, stating, "The way to look at it is, you're looking at economic benefit with emotional equity. These residents coming here, they're going to have emotional equity as they grow with our people."
The Taza partnership has allowed Tsuut'ina culture to be thoughtfully woven into the planning and development of the community. This cultural integration extends from the design principles to the community values that will guide the development's evolution.
Building Partnerships and Community
The first completed homes in Taza Park are a collection of townhomes by Homes by Avi, with additional partnerships including Brookfield Residential and Crystal Creek Homes. Vered Amir, Homes by Avi's VP of brand leadership and community engagement, expressed the significance of participating in this project.
"Growing up here, I always knew that these lands are sacred," Amir said. "It's in a pocket of the city that we never, ever imagined that we would be able to build a community, so to be able to do this is so special. For the Tsuut'ina Nation as well, seeing their lands develop, and the respect that's been given to the lands—I think that speaks volumes on the respect that it's given to the Nation."
A Vision for the Future
As the development moves forward, leaders envision Taza Park becoming a model for Indigenous-led urban development that balances economic growth with cultural preservation. Manywounds articulated this long-term vision: "As Tsuut'ina continues to move forward, and we continue to welcome residents and peoples of all facets of life, our hope is, in the next 100 years, that this place will be remembered with good core values, integrity, and something that our ancestors would be very proud of."
The welcoming of the first residents represents just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative development for both the Tsuut'ina Nation and the broader Calgary community. With construction ongoing and more homes planned, Taza Park stands as a testament to innovative partnership models that create sustainable, inclusive communities while honoring Indigenous heritage and creating lasting economic opportunities.
