Reflection

is from Old Crow, Yukon – home of the Gwitchin Nation. Her family lived a nomadic life until her parents made a difficult decision to move from their village so the children could get an education. They attended the Chooutla Indian Residential School in southern Yukon. Mildred worked as a secretary, married, and had three children. It was while she and husband Joe lived in Fort St. John, BC, that he passed away. She moved to Prince George and worked with Indian communities in education before being hired by George Manuel to co-ordinate the education portfolio at the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs in 1978. Poplar was co-ordinator of the southern train when UBCIC organized the Constitution Express. She went on to be the assistant to four UBCIC presidents until she retired in 2000. As a member of the Native Council of the Anglican Church of Canada, she was sent to many international conferences, including the first international gathering of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations in New York. Poplar has written a book to reflect the world view of the Indigenous Peoples, what those on the frontlines have to endure, and what it takes to fight for freedom.