The time has come for Manitoba to grant permanent protection of the Asatiwisipe Aki Traditional Lands under the Manitoba Parks Act, as requested by the Poplar River First Nation in 1999 and 2005. These boreal traditional lands are also part of a potential 10.6 million-acre World Heritage Site (WHS) in Manitoba and Ontario.

The WHS site would include two provincial parks in addition to the traditional territories of involved First Nations. Poplar River First Nation -- the first community to complete its land use plan -- is still waiting to have its decision to permanently protect two million acres of this pristine boreal forest confirmed.