Metepenagiag Mi’kmaq Nation are located at the head of tide of the Miramichi River. For thousands of years Mi’kmaq communities along New Brunswick’s northeastern shore lived near tidal estuaries where tidal saltwater flows inland and creates an ecosystem for “anadromous fish species such as salmon, sturgeon, gaspereau or alewife, striped bass, and eel, that seasonally move up the estuaries in large numbers.” Some of these species spawned above the ‘head of tide’ and up the freshwater streams.
Although officially recognised in 1783, Metepenagiag has been home to a Mi’kmaq community for over 3000 years, making it the oldest continuously settled community in New Brunswick.
Fully immerse yourself in Mi’kmaq culture as you join the locals in their annual festivities. The renowned Trout Derby brings the community together for a weekend of friendly competition. The annual Pow Wow allows you to observe a sunrise ceremony, indulge in traditional cuisine, browse through craft works, as well as join in for song, dance and oral tradition passed down for generations.
Looking to indulge in traditional Mi’kmaq cuisine? You’ll love the Taste of Metepenagiag “Ookdotaan” experience. Your personal, guided tour of the 3,000 year old Aboriginal community and Heritage Park begins with the heavenly aromas of the cooking fire and traditional foods. It continues with a stop at the Interpretation Centre to view the exhibits and learn more about the lives of the people who called this land ‘home’. Gather fresh ingredients for the tea that will be served with food prepared in an outdoor cooking shelter. Sit down to listen to stories of Metepenagiag before sampling seasonal fish or summer game with wild rice, traditional bread and fragrant cedar tea. Don’t forget to linger around the campfire to hear more stories about this ancient way of life.
Time-honored traditions await you at Metepenagiag…Where spirits live!
Metepenagiag Heritage Park
Metepenagiag Heritage Park is a state of the art facility that tells the story of the Mi’kmaq of Metepenagiag.
Experience the Mi’kmaq culture that has existed here for over 30 centuries. Enjoy the music and listen to the oral history, handed down through generations by the Mi’kmaq Elders, who have greeted all visitors on our shores. Walk the trails in the footsteps of ancestors overlooking the river that has sustained the Mi’kmaq people since time immemorial. View the archeological finds of the ancient village and understand the significance and traditions presented from the Augustine Mound and Oxbow National Historic Sites.