A Century-Old Company Gets a New Chapter
Brokenhead Ojibway Nation has acquired Freed & Freed International Ltd., one of Winnipeg's longest-standing clothing manufacturers, in a deal that closed Friday. The purchase marks a significant milestone for the Manitoba First Nation and adds another chapter to the storied history of a company that has been producing garments for over a century.
The Nation says it sees strong economic potential in the acquisition — not just as a revenue-generating business, but as a platform for procurement opportunities, job creation, and skills development for community members.
More Than a Business Deal
For Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, this isn't simply a real estate or investment play. Leadership has framed the purchase as a vehicle for long-term community empowerment. By owning a manufacturer with established operations, supply chains, and industry relationships, the Nation gains direct access to the Canadian garment sector — an industry that touches everything from workwear to hospitality uniforms to institutional clothing contracts.
Procurement is a key word here. Indigenous-owned businesses are increasingly competitive for government and corporate supply contracts under federal procurement policies that prioritize Indigenous suppliers. Owning a manufacturing operation of this scale positions Brokenhead Ojibway Nation to compete for those contracts directly, rather than as a subcontractor.
Jobs and Skills for the Community
Beyond procurement, the Nation emphasized its goal of putting community members to work and building transferable skills in manufacturing, logistics, and business operations. Clothing manufacturing involves a range of trades — from pattern-making and machine operation to quality control and distribution — all of which represent real, portable skills for workers.
This kind of ownership model — where a First Nation acquires an existing, operational business rather than building from scratch — is increasingly common across Canada. It allows communities to generate revenue quickly while also addressing employment gaps and building institutional knowledge.
Freed & Freed's Long History
Founded over a century ago, Freed & Freed International Ltd. has been a fixture in Winnipeg's manufacturing landscape. The company has weathered decades of change in the North American garment industry, including the shift of much production offshore. That it has survived and remained operational makes it a genuinely valuable asset — and a harder-to-replicate one.
The acquisition signals confidence from Brokenhead Ojibway Nation that Canadian manufacturing, particularly for specialized or contract garment work, still has a viable future.
A Growing Trend in Indigenous Economic Development
This deal fits into a broader national pattern of First Nations communities expanding into commercial and industrial sectors. From energy projects to fisheries to retail, Indigenous nations across Canada are leveraging land claims settlements, investment capital, and federal support programs to build diversified economic bases.
For Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, adding a manufacturing company to its portfolio is a concrete step toward the kind of economic self-determination that has been a policy goal — and community aspiration — for decades.
Source: CBC News Manitoba
