Poplar River First Nation

"The land is so important to us it is
just like sacred or holy ground."
- John Charles McDonald, Elder

Poplar River, Manitoba
R0B 0Z0
P:204-244-2267
F:204-244-2690

"The boreal forest ecosystem that is there is still in its natural state. We want to sustain the land so that my children, my grandchildren and great-grandchildren will enjoy the environment that I grew up in. The people in Poplar River still live off the land. We enjoy the freedom of going into the land to enjoy the abundance of life that the land gives us. We are the keepers/stewards of this land that was lent to us by the Creator." -Poplar River community member

First Nations Protected Areas Accord

The Poplar River Anishinabek, along with three other neighboring First Nations from Northern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario, Canada are joining together in a unique cooperative relationship to advance our common interests regarding protected areas in our respective territories.

Poplar River lakeshore

Poplar River First Nation is signatory to the Protected Areas Accord with Pauingassi, Little Grand Rapids and Pikangikum First Nations. This accord was signed in 2002 and provides for the First Nations to support one another and work together in a shared vision of protecting the ancestral lands and resources of our respective First Nations.

"Our vision is based on an acknowledgement that the Creator, the maker of all, placed us on our ancestral lands where we have lived since time immemorial... Our shared vision also acknowledges that we are to protect and take care of the land and resources that the Creator has given us for our survival and well-being. Finally, our vision incorporates respect for the teachings and wisdom of our Elders who are able to guide us in taking care of the lands and resources that we have been given as a sacred trust from the Creator."

Protected Areas and First Nation Resource Stewardship:
A Cooperative Relationship Accord
Download the First Nations Protected Areas Accord

The Accord is a commitment to cooperatively and collectively pursue the shared objective of creating an internationally recognized and designated network of linked protected areas on the ancestral lands of the signatory First Nations. It recognizes and affirms that each of the First Nations will establish planning areas for its respective protected area proposals and initiatives. The boundaries of the respective planning areas are based on the trapline districts of the First Nations. Manitoba and Ontario First Nations are also working with their provincial governments in respect to protected area designation, and occupancy studies.

The origins of the Accord lie in community-based efforts begun by Poplar River First Nation. "We cherish our lands", noted former Chief Vera Mitchell of Poplar River First Nation. "We have taken care of them since time immemorial and we have done this through local stewardship. We understand our land as an Ojibway cultural landscape. We want it to remain this way. The Poplar River Protected Area effort represents an extension of community stewardship in a contemporary context. With our accord, we will link our respective efforts towards common protected areas goals that will strengthen the vision of each of our First Nations."

One of the main goals of the Accord is to link together the traditional territories of Poplar River on Lake Winnipeg, with Paungassi, Little Grand Rapids and Pikangikum First Nations to establish a United Nations World Heritage Site. This is consistent with the goal to establish a network of linked protected areas. The Accord First Nations have agreed to seek support and recognition for their network of linked protected areas in the form of UNESCO World Heritage designation.

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Contact Ray Rabliauskas, Lands Management Coordinator
Poplar River, Manitoba, Canada R0B 0Z0 Ph: 204-244-2267 Fax: 204-244-2690
E-mail: info@PoplarRiverFirstNation.ca or the webmaster@PoplarRiverFirstNation.ca