Photo Credit: Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax

Since pre-contact times, the canoe has been an important mode of transportation for our people. In this area, canoes were used to travel on the many rivers and lakes, as well as along the Nova Scotia’s south shore and on the Bay of Fundy.

Guide and canoe builder Malti Pictou, with young boy.
Collection of Marg Miller / Copy photo: Nova Scotia Museum, Halifax

Bear River First Nation Heritage and Cultural Centre proudly displays our very own authentically made, birch bark canoe - the first to be crafted in this area in seven generations!

The canoe is 4 metres (14 feet) in length and is fully functional. It was built by Todd Labrador and Cory Ryan; Cory is a seventh generation descendent of well-known Bear River Mi’kmaw guide and porpoise hunter, Malti Pictou, who was the last, before Cory, to make a birch bark canoe in the area. In the image at left, Elder Agnes Potter bestows a traditional blessing on the canoe.

You may ask “why is the seventh generation so important to our people?” The number seven has great significance, as we believe that the seventh generation of Mi’kmaw youth will rise to reclaim their culture.

To celebrate the completion of the canoe, Bear River First Nation held a launch ceremony in the spring of 2004. To celebrate the completion of the canoe, Bear River First Nation held a launch ceremony in the spring of 2004. In birch bark canoe: Cory Ryan (at front) and Todd Labrador, in second canoe: Chief Frank Meuse Jr. and Elder Agnes Potter.

Canoe-making Demonstrations

If you have ever wondered how a traditional Mi’kmaw birch bark canoe is made, be sure to watch and take part in one of our canoe making demonstrations at the Centre. The demonstrations take place outdoors at the Encampment site during the summer months.