| Poplar River Protection Promised in Election | 15 May 07 |
 The Manitoba NDP has promised permanent protection of the Poplar/Nanowin Rivers Park Reserve in the election. As part of the election tour visit to Poplar River First Nation May 11th, NDP Leader Gary Doer committed to protecting east side First Nations' traditional lands that are part of the proposed World Heritage Site (WHS) by "introducing a new legislative tool for protecting designated areas and implementing land use plans". He also told members of Poplar River First Nation that their traditional lands encompassed by current protected land the park reserve would be permanently protected if the NDP forms government. It is unclear how the new legislative tool will be developed or whether the Parks Act will be amended to accommodate a new designation for Aboriginal or First Nation protected lands. Various legislative tools for interim and permanent protection of Manitoba lands already exist to accommodate permanent protection for Poplar River First Nation's traditional lands. Gaile Whelan Enns, Manitoba Wildlands director commented: "This is not a new promise. Permanent protection can be enacted now." View May 11, 2007 Manitoba NDP election announcement(DOC) View May 12, 2007 Winnipeg Free Press article (DOC) View Manitoba Wildlands' 2007 Election Survey Visit the Poplar River First Nation's website Sources: Manitoba NDP, Winnipeg Free Press, Manitoba Wildlands, Poplar River First Nation
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