Indian Summer in Nova Scotia: On the trail of the Indians: The culture of the Mi’kmaq come alive in the province of Eastern Canada in Bear River.

Before the first European settlers 400 years ago have settled in Nova Scotia, only the Mi’kmaq lived here. Despite the influx of English, Scottish, French and Irish settlers, the Native Culture preserved until today.

In the Bear River First Nation Cultural Heritage Center, located only a few kilometers south of Digby and Annapolis Royal at the Bay of Fundy, attendees will receive an insight into the traditions of the Mi’kmaq. The cultural center is open from May to October and offers a variety of workshops, in which the Indian culture come alive. Visitors can learn the manufacture of baskets, made of ash wood and dream-catchers, the construction of the typical Indian canoes and the art of drumming and Native American singing itself.

In addition there are permanent exhibitions at the Cultural Center to show visitors the history and habits of the Mi’kmaq in the change of the seasons. In fall, for example, where the landscape presents itself with its brightly colored deciduous trees as arguably and one of the most spectacular natural attractions in North America, the Mi’kmaq Indians migrated into the innerland of the province to build a solid camp – usually on a lake -. They devoted themselves to this time mostly in hunting of moose and beavers.

In any case you should not miss a visit to the Medicine Trail. On this path there you will learn about the different plants that the Mi’kmaq have taken advantage of due to its curative effect. This is against the colorful backdrop of the Indian Summers possibly a very special spiritual experience. A fun-filled and informative day at the Cultural Center should end with a dinner served with traditional dishes of the Mi’kmaq.

Bear River is a nation of thirteen First Nation communities in Nova Scotia.
More information is available at Bear River First Nation.