About Us
History of Stone Bear
In 2001 Frank decided to follow a dream to help young people deal with some of the modern day pressures they face. He decided that a facility nestled in the forest would be an excellent opportunity, and a safe environment, to teach and assist youth with their challenges. The Bear River First Nation set aside an area inside their forest management plan for this to happen and so Stone Bear Tracks and Trails became a reality.
Over the last decade Stone Bear has been able to maintain its unique rustic experience but has expanded into providing other services such as cultural awareness/sensitivity, team-building exercises, wellness retreats.
Over the last decade Stone Bear has been able to maintain its unique rustic experience but has expanded into providing other services such as cultural awareness/sensitivity, team-building exercises, wellness retreats.
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About the Community
L’sitkuk, (pronounced ul-sed-goog) is the original Mi’kmaw (pronounced meeg-maw) word for the Bear River area, meaning “flowing along by high rocks”. The word also conveys the idea of “water that cuts through.” The Bear River water system has a long history as one of the main arteries for travel by canoe from one side of the province to the other.
In 1801 the colonial government designated land at Bear River as a reserve for Indians. Today it is known as the Bear River First Nation.
The total land base is about 1600 acres. There are over 300 registered band members. The community speaks English with an emphasis on restoring Mi’kmaw language as our first language over the next few generations.
In 1801 the colonial government designated land at Bear River as a reserve for Indians. Today it is known as the Bear River First Nation.
The total land base is about 1600 acres. There are over 300 registered band members. The community speaks English with an emphasis on restoring Mi’kmaw language as our first language over the next few generations.
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Frank Meuse
Frank's passion for the outdoors led him to the Elders and the woodsmen of his community early in his life. His adventures traveling the back country by canoe and hiking expanded his knowledge, both traditional and modern, which made Frank a well-respected person to guide and share his teachings with others.
In 1987 Frank was elected Chief of his community and served for nine two-year terms. During his 18 years as Chief, he was able to help the community establish some desperately needed infrastructure such as a school, health centre, cultural and heritage centre, recreational facilities and some new housing. He also helped with a few projects such as river restoration work, a traditional medicine trail, and a forestry management plan for the community’s woodlot.
This experience led to the creation of Stone Bear Tracks and Trails.
(Photo by Gary Fraser, 2011)
In 1987 Frank was elected Chief of his community and served for nine two-year terms. During his 18 years as Chief, he was able to help the community establish some desperately needed infrastructure such as a school, health centre, cultural and heritage centre, recreational facilities and some new housing. He also helped with a few projects such as river restoration work, a traditional medicine trail, and a forestry management plan for the community’s woodlot.
This experience led to the creation of Stone Bear Tracks and Trails.
(Photo by Gary Fraser, 2011)
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To give you an idea:
This is a short silent video created by Theresa Meuse to give you an idea of what Stone Bear has to offer.
(Music in video by Rose Meuse and Nathan Waterman.)
(Music in video by Rose Meuse and Nathan Waterman.)
