Protection of Poplar River First Nation's traditional territory on East Side a global, local success

WINNIPEG—The Wilderness Committee is congratulating the Poplar River First Nation and the Manitoba government today, as an historic regulation was introduced which will permanently protect Asatiwisipe Aki—the traditional territory of the Poplar River First Nation—from industrial development.

"This is momentous," said Eric Reder, Manitoba Campaign Director for the Wilderness Committee. "The future of the greatest forest left on the planet is more secure, while the desires of the local First Nation community are being supported. The Manitoba government got it right, and the Wilderness Committee and its thousands of members couldn't be happier."

With this action, the Manitoba government has combined protection of one of the world's most important ecosystems with support for a local, community-led initiative. This announcement demonstrates a 'think global, act local' success.

"This is tremendous news, and important on so many levels," said Reder. "It is the first traditional territory in the Heart of the Boreal to be permanently protected from development. It is one of the first Park Reserves nominated for protection by First Nations communities—most over a decade ago—to receive permanent protection."

"It is also the first permanently protected land under the new East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act, introduced in 2008," said Reder. "It is the first major permanently protected area in the Heart of the Boreal since the Manigotagan River Provincial Park was created in 2004, and it is now one of Manitoba's largest protected areas at 800,000 hectares."

For nearly 10 years, the Wilderness Committee has been talking to Manitobans door-to-door about the Poplar/Nanowin Park Reserve, Poplar River First Nation's initiative to protect the lands and waters on which they've lived for millennia. Over the years, the Wilderness Committee has delivered thousands of opinion cards signed by Manitobans to government, asking that Poplar River's efforts to protect the greatest forest left on earth be supported.

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For more information, please contact Eric Reder, (204) 997–8584