Its landbase is the Poplar River 16, an Indian reserve located approximately on the east side of Lake Winnipeg at the mouth of the Poplar River. The largest city nearest this community is Winnipeg, located approximately 400 kilometres (250 mi) to the south.
Poplar River First Nation is 3,800 acres (1,500 ha). As of 2013, the total population of registered First Nation peoples was 1,543, with 1245 on-reserve, and 298 off-reserve. The primary language spoken is Ojibwe, with some blending of the Cree dialect also known as Oji-Cree. The majority of surnames are Bruce, Franklin, and Berens.
There is an additional population consisting of Métis and non-status First Nations residing in the community, previously having a neighbouring Métis settlement, but it was abandoned.
The community has no municipality, district, or any other town associated or connected with it.
The town itself is embedded along the main Poplar River with the primary township located on an atoll of land between Poplar River and Franklin River. The majority of the population resides along these two rivers, including three habitable islands located within the main Poplar River. Gravel highways exists throughout all of the community and bridges cross both rivers to connect all areas of the community. There are no paved concrete or asphalt roads or sidewalks.
Even though most people today use automobiles and walking power to travel the gravel paved roads, the use of watercraft and winter snowmobiles still remains.
Called Asatiwisipe Aki by the First Nation, their traditional land has been designated as a protected area with the support of the Manitoba government. It is one of the last remaining pristine river areas in the world, particularly in southern Canada. The river is very clean, with little or no man-made pollutants in the watershed. The Poplar River area may soon be designated as a section of a United Nations Heritage Site.
Northern, or The North West Company, is the largest business selling general merchandise ranging from household goods, food, petroleum products, electronics, clothing and more. Its predecessor was Hudson's Bay Company. The costs of goods in this community are higher than the Canadian average due to having to ship products via airplane, barge (during the summer months) or truck (during the winter months) from the main distribution outlets in Selkirk or Winnipeg, which are hundreds of kilometres south.
Mitasosipe Trading Post is the second largest store selling general merchandise.
Negginan Harbour Authority Inc. is the main small craft docking station which is officially governed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Poplar River Elder's Lodge is a care facility for Poplar River's elderly population.
During the winter months, Poplar River is accessible via winter road. It is accessible year round via airplane, and via barge or water vessels during the summer months.
The majority of residents have modern conveniences of running water, plumbing and trash removal.
This community does not recycle.
Children attend Poplar River Elementary School from grade 1 to 9. This school features a modern gymnasium, library and standard education programs. Members who pursue education beyond grade 9 must attend high schools, universities or colleges off reserve.
Most members of this community have broadband internet access. In addition, many households own satellite receivers for their television entertainment needs.
Youth of this community are influenced by national and international pop culture including music, movies and fashion trends from around the world due to satellite television and the internet.
Environment
Spring thaw of Poplar River looking west
The water, land, forest and beaches continue to remain free of pollution and industrial activity.
The land is unfit for farming, so therefore self-sufficiency based on agriculture is not an option. Due to its geographic location during the Pleistocene period, or last ice age,[4] this land was located under a large glacier that ploughed away the topsoils that are necessary for agriculture. Around 10 centimetres of soil exists covering clay sediment. This is evident during the warmer summer months when clay mud is prominent throughout most of the foot-travelled areas of the community.
This community is in the Boreal Forest range of Canada,[5] is not within the region of permafrost,[6] and is geographically closer to the North Pole to allow for what is locally referred to as the Northern Lights, or the more scientific term Aurora Borealis.[7]
A community member rides a skidoo on the frozen Poplar River
Health
The general overall state of health for the community is lower than the national average. Due to genetic predispositions that are known to influence the metabolism of aboriginals, the lack of education regarding proper nutrition and the importance of exercise, obesity and diabetes and all related illnesses are still a health threat to a portion of the population. Heart attacks are appearing to be more and more common-place for adults at the age of 50 years.
The extremely high rate of unemployment continues to be a problem, but this is the same for all First Nation communities. This is due to the lack of businesses or new enterprises that would normally provide employment for the people. A large portion of the population collects social assistance.
The community has one of the lowest suicide rates compared to other First Nation communities.
Serious criminal activity is nearly non-existent, but drug trafficking, acts of violence and spousal abuse are common-place.
Alcoholism and drug addiction
Poplar River is a "dry" reserve, but prohibition laws are only enforced when citizens are acting irresponsibly or are a threat to others. Alcoholism occurs more prominently in certain families. There are no official studies to track alcoholism and its effects on the people.
Although alcohol can be smuggled in or obtained from bootleggers, the ease of drug smuggling is causing a dramatic increase in drug abuse causing serious addictions. The common drugs being used are marijuana, narcotic medication, cocaine and other illicit street drugs.
Post-European contact
Historically, cross-cultural influence by early European settlers and their governments are believed to have been the source of many problems for aboriginal peoples. The attempted assimilation of aboriginals is a well-known failure, and the loss of the traditional culture and religious beliefs has created a strong sense of hostility, loss and hopelessness within many aboriginal communities.
More importantly, in more recent decades the sudden change to mainstream diet could also have negative side-effects, not just with members of this community, but for all First Nation people; on or off reserve. The introduction of additives to foods such as hormones, antibiotics, tranquilizers, excessively high sugar, salt, and other additives, and even caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, could cause chemical changes in the bodies of First Nation people interfering with mental wellness [citation needed]. None of these substances except nicotine existed in their lives for thousands of years. Studies have shown that chemical imbalances could lead to irrational thoughts and behaviours triggering lengthy episodes of depression, anxiety, hostility and dependence on alcohol or mood-altering prescription medication or illegal drugs [citation needed]. This would explain the high incidents of alcoholism, higher than average rates of suicide, as well as other social ills. A sedentary lifestyle devoid of physical exercise is also known to trigger lengthy negative emotional events. There have been no in-depth scientific studies or analysis into this particular area specifically targeted at the First Nation peoples.
It has been recently discovered that the return to traditional spiritual, cultural, familial and dietary lifestyles could provide a more healthy way of life for aboriginal communities. While fishing and hunting has been practised by the elders, this knowledge is being taught and passed on to future generations. The preservation of the Ojibwa dialect is also paramount, and the return to traditional spiritual healing ceremonies and medicines may also remedy the mental, physical and emotional ills that are of great concern to the community. These teachings are ongoing.
The people in this community still persevere to overcome adversity today.
Furlon Barker, Geoff Bushie, Henry Moneas, and Maurice Williams[3]
November 3, 2015
Clifford Bruce, James Mitchell, Guy Douglas, Emile Mason, Leonard Budd and Fred Mitchell.
November 3, 2011
Russell Lambert
Eddie Hudson, Clifford Bruce, Emile Mason, Guy Douglas, Sophia Rabliauskas and Darrell Bruce.
November 3, 2002
Clifford Bruce, Emile Mason, James Mitchell, Leonard Budd, Edwin Mitchell and Eddie Hudson.
November 3, 2000
Vera Mitchell
James Mitchell, Fred Mitchell, Guy Douglas, Emile Mason, Edwin Mitchell and Clifford Bruce.
November 3, 1998
James Mitchell, Eddie Hudson, Guy Douglas, Fred Mitchell, Norman Bittern and Melvin Berens.
November 3, 1996
Russell Lambert
Norman Bittern, Eddie Hudson, Irvine Franklin, James Mitchell, Emile Mason and Guy Douglas.
November 3, 1994
Irvine Franklin, George Franklin, Albert Bittern, James Mitchell, Guy Douglas and Melvin Berens.
November 3, 1992
Alex Hudson Sr.
Viola Bittern, Leonard Budd, Guy Douglas, Alex Timothy Hudson, Mary Eleanor Lambert and Emile Mason.
November 3, 1990
Vera Mitchell
Melvin Berens, Guy Douglas, Ernest C. Bruce, Leonard Mitchell, Eleanor Lambert and Alex Timothy Hudson.
November 3, 1988
Leonard Mitchell, Norway Bittern, Guy Douglas, Albert Bittern, Melvin Bittern and Eddie Hudson.
November 3, 1986
Alex Hudson
Eddie Hudson, Marc Hudson, Gordon Bittern Sr., Fred Mitchell, Peter Bittern and Albert Bittern.
November 3, 1984
Fred Mitchell, Gordon Bittern Sr., Marc Hudson and Leonard Budd.
November 3, 1982
Leonard Budd, Gordon Bittern, Mark Hudson and Freddie Mitchell.
November 3, 1980
Albert Bittern
Phillip Bruce, William Fontaine, Margaret Hudson and Irvine Franklin.
November 3, 1978
Peter Bittern, Jimmy Bruce, Phillip Bruce and Leonard Budd
November 3, 1976
Norman Walter Bruce
Albert Bittern, Solomon Bruce, Franklin Mitchell and William Paul.
Norman W. Bruce resigned on 1 June 1977.
March 31, 1976
Albert Bittern, Vernon George Franklin, Lillian Bittern, and Norman W. Bruce
April 1, 1975
Jacob Green
Albert Bittern and Vernon George Franklin; Leonard Budd and Austin Franklin (till July 1975); Lillian Bittern and Norman W. Bruce (from 28 August 1975)
Leonard Budd resigned on 3 July 1975; and Austin Franklin resigned on 31 July 1975.
Lillian Bittern and Norman W. Bruce elected on 28 August 1975.
Jacob Green resigned on 16 March 1976, with Norman W. Bruce appointed Chief on March 31.
November 3, 1974 – March 3, 1975
George Boyd
Albert Bittern, Leonard Budd, Austin Franklin and Vernon George Franklin.
George Boyd resigned on 3 March 1975, and Jacob Green was appointed Chief on April 1.
George Boyd
Leonard Budd, Albert Bittern, Austin Franklin and Walter Nanowin.
November 3, 1972
Gordon Bittern
Valerie Boyd (1972–73); Bert Bruce, Lawrence Bruce, and Colin Bruce (all 1972–April 1974)
Valerie Boyd resigned on 19 November 1973. Gordon Bittern, Bert Bruce, Colin Bruce and Lawrence Bruce resigned on 11 April 1974.
September 13, 1971
Philip Bruce
Bert Bruce, Lillian Bittern, William Fontaine, and William Bruce
Alex Hudson resigned on 13 September 1971 and Philip Bruce appointed as Chief.
October 21, 1970
Alex Hudson
Bert Bruce, Philip Bruce, Lillian Bittern, William Fontaine, and William Bruce
Vernon Franklin and Victor Bruce resigned on 8 February 1970, and were replaced by William Fontaine and William Bruce on February 27.
October 7, 1968
Bert Bruce, Philip Bruce, Vernon Franklin (1967–70), and Victor Bruce
October 22, 1966
Gordon Bittern
Bert Bruce, Norman Bruce (1966–67), Vernon Franklin (1967–70), and Philip Bruce
Councillor Norman Bruce resigned on 16 October 1967, and was replaced by Vernon Franklin.
October 20, 1962
William Bruce and Fred Lambert
October 20, 1960
Alex Hudson
William Bruce and Leonard Mitchell
October 27, 1958
Jacob Bruce
William Bruce and Alex Mitchell
October 18, 1956
Gordon Bittern
Roderick Douglas and Charles Franklin
November 23, 1953
Alex Hudson
Fred Lambert and William Bruce
June 12, 1950
Jacob Bruce and Thomas Douglas
June 17, 1933
Cuthbert Nanowin
Jacob Bruce and James Bruce
August 12, 1926
Miles Michel
Sandy Bruce and Cuthbert Nanowin
August 19, 1924
Miles Michel and Cuthbert Nanowin
July 25, 1885 –August 24, 1923
Jacob Nanowin, Henry Bittern (July 11, 1912 – 1912), and Miles Michel (1914–1914)
Death of Jacob Nanowin was shown on paylist 24/8/23.
