Government of Canada Commemorates Indian Point National Historic Site at Red Indian Lake
October 27, 2017 Millertown, Newfoundland and Labrador Parks Canada Agency
Canada’s national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas enable Canadians to experience their rich and varied history in a special way and play a big part in the celebration of Canada 150. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to experience nature and learn more about our history.
Today, Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, commemorated Indian Point National Historic Site with the unveiling of a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque. A special ceremony was held at the Indian Point Beothuk Interpretation Site in Millertown.
The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant people, places and events that contributed to our country’s rich diverse heritage. The Indian Point National Historic Site commemorates the presence and lifestyle of the Beothuk who inhabited the shores of Red Indian Lake during the winter months of the year for seasonal hunting. The site provided easy access to the rich food sources of the area including migrating caribou herds, which they hunted using extensive drive systems of fences.
Although other Beothuk camps have been found and studied by archaeologists in the 20th century, Indian Point is among the best documented Beothuk sites and the first to reveal something of Beothuk life in the interior of Newfoundland and of the long cultural continuity of this culture.
In 2017 – and every year – Parks Canada and Indigenous Peoples work together to develop interpretive materials and activities at national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation. Together, we invite Canadians to visit Parks Canada places to experience Indigenous cultures, traditions and customs. In doing so, we can create new opportunities for learning and better understanding of Canada’s Indigenous cultures and histories.
Quotes
“I am very pleased that Indian Point is now the fifth national historic commemoration directly related to the existence of the Beothuk in Newfoundland. This is an opportunity to bring people together to create new connections between Indigenous Peoples in Canada and non-Indigenous Canadians that will foster discussions on the histories, cultures and realities of Indigenous communities.”
Scott Simms,
Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame
Quick Facts
- The Beothuk lived in well-built, multi-sided mamateeks, which are cone-shaped framed dwellings held up by poles and covered with birch, fur and dried moss.
- By the early 19th century, the Beothuk population was greatly reduced to a small group, impacted by introduced diseases and the takeover of traditional resource areas along the coast and at river mouths by European newcomers.
- Designated a national historic person in 2000, Shanawdithit is the last known surviving member of the Beothuk. She drew story-maps of her people’s history and customs, which confirmed that Indian Point was part of an important Beothuk settlement area.
- Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history.
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Contacts
Ray Kenny
Manager, External Relations
Parks Canada
709-772-2587
ray.kenny@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca
NT5
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