Chanda and I have recently returned from an enriching and enlightening trip to Weaver Lake in Poplar River First Nation’s traditional territory. Nestled within the intact wilderness on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, the Poplar River community is working to protect 8000 square kilometers of their traditional lands and waters from industrial developments.
Poplar River First Nation is also part of an initiative with other boreal communities in the region to establish a 40,000 square kilometer World Heritage Site straddling the Manitoba-Ontario border. I was invited to be a role model at their annual youth camp designed to connect Aboriginal Youth to the natural landscape and learn traditional knowledge.