by Michael W. McDonald J.D. & Angel Julian, APCFNC

River First Nation, in Mi’kmaq is called Muin Sipu. Bear River is often referred to by the Mi’kmaw as L’sitkuk, which is pronounced “elsetkook”. Mi’kmaw territory, known to Mi’kmaq as Mi’kma’kik, was split into seven (7) Districts. L’sitkuk lies in the ancient district of Kespukwitk. Kespukwitk which translated into English means “the lands ending or end of territorial”.

L’sitkuk is located in the Annapolis Valley between the towns of Annapolis Royal and Digby. L’sitkuk, which translated into English means “flowing along by high rocks” or conveys “water that cuts through”, because the river appears to cut through the granite rock of the surrounding landscape.

L’sitkuk has a population of 346 members with 113 living on-reserve and 233 living off-reserve. Historically L’sitkuk has been a central meeting place for the Mi’kmaq due to its strategic location on old water routes connecting the Atlantic coastline to interior lands. It has historically been a meeting place for the Wabanaki Confederacy, a political and cultural alliance among the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Mi’kmaw tribes. Archaeological evidence suggests the community has existed in the area for 2,000-4,000 years.

The area around Port-Royal was the traditional summering home of the natives in Bear River. During the summer months, the people of Bear River hunted porpoise in the Bay of Fundy and used the meat for food in the community and use ...