The Wilderness Committee fights against the "bulldoze first and ask questions later" mindset regarding conservation efforts in the bio-diverse, boreal forests of Manitoba. Government and industry plan to expand logging roads, which would increase commerce, thus negatively affecting ecosystems in the forests as well as defying First Nation policies. This report gives an overview of the issues and what needs to be done to protect more wilderness in Manitoba.

Manitoba's conservation vision for Lake Winnipeg's east shore

Wilderness Committee Educational Report Vol.21 - No.03, Spring/Summer 2002

Ancient cultures, ancient landscapes - Ojibway first nations territory

Poplar/Nanowin Park reserve

The Poplar River Watershed is located in the heart of the wildlife-rich East Shore Wilderness. Photo by Henry Kalen.

Poplar/Nanowin Protected Area

In the heart of the East Side lies the First Nation community of Poplar River. In the surrounding area is their traditional territory, most of which is encompassed within the Poplar/Nanowin Park Reserve (7950 square km). This designation protects the area from all industrial development such as logging, mining, and hydro until September 30, 2004 at which time a decision must be made on its fate.

The Park Reserve was designated by the Manitoba government in response to a PROTECTED AREA nomination from the Poplar River First Nation, allan@lichen.ca whose community members and leaders are working towards permanent protection of this intact boreal forest region. The Poplar River First Nations elders have declared, “The Creator has given us life, he has given us land to live from, without that land our people will die.”

River trip

Photo by Poplar River First Nation


The Wilderness Committee is in support of the Poplar River First Nation’s vision to see this spectacular, ecologically rich area receive full and permanent protection from industrial logging, mining, and hydro projects.