In 1977 the Pikangikum Band held a plebiscite and decided that the band would be divided into two bands, Poplar Hill and Pikangikum. Pikangikum would keep its original reserve and new land would be required for Poplar Hill. However, the Poplar Hill band did not receive a reserve until 1985.
The Poplar Hill reserve was officially created by the Department of Indian Affairs in 1986 by Order in Council.