Poplar Hill First Nation is an Anishinaabe (Ojibway) First Nation located in Northern Ontario, approximately 120 km north of Red Lake, Ontario near the Ontario-Manitoba border. The First Nation is accessible by air and winter road. In January 2008, the First Nation had a registered population of 451 people, of which their on-Reserve population was 423.

History

Poplar Hill First Nation achieved full Band and reserve status in 1978 when it separated from the Pikangikum First Nation. The community maintains strong ties with Pikangikum and Little Grand Rapids in Manitoba.

Governance

The First Nation's governing council is elected through the Custom Electoral System, consisting of a Chief, Deputy Chief and three councillors. The current Chief is Elie Moose, with James Suggashie acting as the Deputy Chief. The Councillors are Donald Moose, Garry Owen and Patrick Owen. Their current elected 2-year term ends in July, 2008.

As a signatory to Treaty 5, the First Nation is a member of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Council, a Regional Chiefs Council and Nishnawbe Aski Nation, a Tribal Political Organization representing majority of the First Nation governments in northern Ontario.

Reserve

The First Nation have reserved for themselves the 705.2 ha Poplar Hill Indian Reserve. The community of Poplar Hill, Ontario is located within this Reserve.

Services

• School
  • Berensview School, K-8th Grade
  • KiHS Poplar Hill of the Keewaytinook Internet Highschool. Otherwise, for students who desire face-to-face instruction, they must board in either Sioux Lookout, Ontario or Red Lake, Ontario.
• Child and Family Services worker provided through Tikinagan Child and Family Services in Sioux Lookout
• health clinic with a Community Health Representative. The community also have access to Sioux Lookout Zone Hospital; hospital services also available in Red Lake.

The community of Poplar Hill, Ontario is served by the Poplar Hill Airport, 1.1 km to the east of the town. It is linked to Pikangikum, Ontario and points south by winter roads and ice roads.

The community have a Mennonite church.

Poplar Hill is policed by the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, an Aboriginal based service. In addition, Northern Air Patrol from Sioux Lookout and OPP Red Lake Detachment provide additional policing services.

External links

• Community profile from INAC
• Community profile from Chiefs of Ontario