As First Nations work towards a deal to acquire land at the vacant Kapyong Barracks, a Manitoba chief said widening Kenaston Boulevard is his top priority.

Negotiations are continuing between First Nations communities and the federal government.

While an agreement still hasn't been reached, Long Plain Chief Dennis Meeches said a deal is close.

Meeches made the comments to reporters after speaking to a business crowd at a luncheon on Thursday hosted by the Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce and Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.

Last month, Conservative leader Stephen Harper said the government will not appeal a court decision which ruled Ottawa failed to consult several Treaty No. 1 First Nations over the sale of the Crown land.

Meeches said the federal government has been the biggest barrier and, now that the legal battle is over, he expects things "should go smooth now."

"Kapyong, we should've already had that widened five, six years ago," said Meeches.

Meeches described urban reserves as an economic tool not only for indigenous people but for the entire population.

"A strong Treaty No. 1 means a strong Manitoba, a strong country," said Meeches.

He said First Nations communities have received an offer from the federal government and plan to make a counter-offer to create an urban reserve at the former military base.

Meeches wouldn't share any of the specifics of the negotiations.

There are 150 urban reserves in Canada.

Saskatchewan has 54, while Manitoba is home to six urban reserves.