Case Study

Freedhome Development Opaskwayay Cree Nation (OCN) & Brokenhead Ojibway Nation (BON)

Context

Freedhome Developments is a visionary initiative in Winnipeg dedicated to strengthening communities, fostering partnerships, and driving inclusive urban growth. In October 2025, the company marked two major milestones: the launch of La Cour in partnership with Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN), and Elswood in collaboration with Brokenhead Ojibway Nation.

These groundbreaking projects reaffirm Freedhome Developments commitment to innovation, community building, and Indigenous economic empowerment. By working alongside trusted partners, municipal leadership, and Indigenous communities, Freedhome continues to position itself as a catalyst for positive change in Manitoba’s development landscape, advancing cultural inclusion, sustainable construction, and long-term economic resilience.

The Challenge

As Freedhome Developments prepared to unveil two landmark Indigenous partnership developments within the same month, the primary challenge was to ensure cohesive storytelling and high-level stakeholder engagement across both events.

The objectives included:

Positioning Freedhome Developments as a trusted leader in responsible, inclusive, and Indigenous community–focused development.
Strengthening relationships with Indigenous partners and government stakeholders.
Securing mainstream and Indigenous media coverage to amplify the company’s message.
Preparing and supporting senior spokespersons with strategic communications materials and training to ensure consistent messaging across all interviews and media events.

Solv Communications developed and executed an integrated communications strategy to elevate Freedhome Developments leadership in community-centered design incorporating cultural values and Indigenous stewardship principles.

Our approach combined community-focused storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and targeted media relations to highlight both projects – La Cour and Elswood – as milestones in reconciliation and inclusive economic growth.

Key strategic actions included

Stakeholder engagement: Coordination with federal, provincial, and civic representatives to secure high-level attendance and recognition at both events.

Media strategy: Outreach to mainstream, provincial, and Indigenous media outlets to ensure broad and balanced coverage.

Press release development: Creation of bilingual press releases highlighting Freedhome Developments message of partnership, inclusion, and Indigenous-led progress, tailored specifically for each launch.

Spokesperson training: Preparation of Q&A documents, briefing notes, and key messages, along with personalized coaching before and after interviews.

On-site communications management: Oversight of media interviews, photo opportunities, and logistics to maintain message alignment and brand integrity.

Post-event evaluation: Collection of feedback and insights to strengthen future media strategies and stakeholder relations.

Highlights

-Federal, provincial, and civic participation, including attendance by ministers, dignitaries, and senior officials.

-National, provincial, and local coverage, featuring APTN as a national news story.

-Media interviews with Indigenous leaders, including the Brokenhead Chief and Grand Chief Kyra Wilson.

-Strengthened partnerships with Indigenous communities and government stakeholders, setting the foundation for future collaboration.

-Enhanced internal capacity through media training, key message development, and coaching for senior spokespersons.

-Positive reputation outcomes, positioning Freedhome Developments as a socially responsible developer committed to reconciliation, inclusion, and sustainable growth.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

-Coverage by APTN National News, Winnipeg Free Press, CTV News, Global News, City News, CBC News, and multiple Francophone media outlets.

-Feature stories highlighting Freedhome Developments collaboration with OCN and Brokenhead Ojibway Nation.

-Press release distribution that successfully aligned Freedhome Developments narrative with provincial and national conversations on Indigenous partnership and urban development.

-On-site media interviews with company leadership, Indigenous partners and government representatives.

-Extended visibility through shared media content and online amplification.

Results & impact

Through coordinated execution and strategic storytelling, Solv Communications helped Freedhome Developments deliver two highly successful events that generated strong visibility, strengthened partnerships, and reaffirmed its position as a leader in responsible and Indigenous community–driven development.