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

"There are communities like ourselves all over the country who have long looked after lands not as owners, but as caretakers of this great land. This is how we were taught as Native people; land is not something you own, land is a gift that you use, to live on it, to protect it and look after it. That principle was used by our people and continues to be used today." -Poplar River community member

Poplar/Nanowin Rivers Park Reserve

The Manitoba Parks Act for the province allows for several types of parks/protected areas as well as various land use classifications within these designations. Lands that are classified 'wilderness', 'heritage' and 'backcountry' are protected areas, where industrial activities do not occur.

Manitoba Protected Areas Map

Manitoba Protected Areas Map Thumbnail

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Poplar River First Nation nominated a protected area of 800,000 ha in 1998. This protected area corresponds to most of the traditional territory and trapline district of our First Nation, and is classified as a 'wilderness' park reserve under the Parks Act. A further protected area nomination for the balance of traditional territory was forwarded to the Manitoba government in spring 2000. Interim protection began in spring 1999. Any change in the classification of these lands must be based on consent from Poplar River First Nation. Poplar River First Nation is currently seeking permanent protection for the Poplar/Nanowin Rivers Park Reserve, now that the Asatiwisipe Aki Lands Management Plan is finished.

"Protected areas will not infringe upon any existing aboriginal or Treaty rights of First Nations peoples."

- First Nation Protected Areas Memorandum Of Understanding.

First Nation MOU

In 1998 the Government of Manitoba cabinet ministers responsible for land use, the Manitoba Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, and the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO - Cree consortium for northern Manitoba) signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the "design, establishment and management of protected areas" in Manitoba.

Poplar River Sunset 1

This MOU was extended in fall 1999 by the Manitoba Minister of Conservation. Protection standards under the MOU prohibit industrial activities such as mining, logging, hydroelectric development, and any other activities that cause significant alteration of the landscape. The MOU has been confirmed by each Manitoba Minister of Conservation since.

The MOU is a vehicle for First Nation communities affected by protected areas establishment, and contains protocols for both the nomination of protected lands and consultation regarding areas under review for protected status. The activities anticipated by the MOU include First Nation involvement in: the identification, establishment and management of protected areas. Its protocols are clear about the continuation of traditional uses, including hunting, trapping, gathering and ceremonies. The First Nation Protected Areas MOU continues to be the basis for the interaction with First Nations in the process to establish protected areas in Manitoba.

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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