1

Native people have long inhabited the shores of Newfoundland. The Maritime Archaic was the first to live here and the most recent being the extinct Beothuk. Birchy Bay was no exception to them here they would have used the resources of the three brooks which flow into the bay as a means of deriving food and fresh water. The water system was possibly used as a pathway to and from the interior.

2

The Beothuks
2008
Birchy Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

3

The Beothuk were recorded to have used Birchy Bay as a temporary settlement while travelling to off lying Islands. Here they preserved quantities of food to bring back to their winter camps. The long summers were times of abundance. Their days were filled with such tasks which ensured their survival. Although the Beothuk were considered reliant on caribou which migrated in the Exploits River Area, they were more at home on the coast.

4

Passing by
2008
Birchy Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

5

Although no sound archaeological proof has been found to link these people to Birchy Bay, we have records from early explorers as well many local traditions which place them here many years ago. Captain Cartwright one famous explorer in Newfoundland's vibrant history recorded seeing the Beothuk on July 11, 1770. With aid of his "pocket dolland" he spied natives east of Coal-all Island in the vicinity of Comfort Cove. This is only a stone`s throw from Birchy Bay.

6

This may have been the island that Ralph Pastore, a leading authority in Beothuk
Archaeology discovered and partly excavated what showed to be a multi-component native site.

7

The Beothuk and the Salmon Fisherman Story Told by Clayton Mews
19th Century
Birchy Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

Credits:
Clayton Mews

8

Looking up at the Mouth of Jumper's Brook
2007
Birchy Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

9

View from Cave at Jumper's Head
2007
Birchy Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

10

Cave at Jumper's Head
2007
Birchy Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

11

Red Ochre at Jumper's Brook
2007
Birchy Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
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12

Cave at Jumper's Head
2007
Birchy Bay, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
TEXT ATTACHMENT


13

The geographical feature of Jumper`s Head played a unique role in the Beothuk tradition. It was stated by early settlers that there was a large tree on the top of the lookout that had its' bark by continuous use. Here they would look out over the three entrances to the bay and to keep a watch on the meandering "white man".

14

The name of Jumpers Head is claimed by some to be rooted in a local tradition of a Beothuk man jumping the cliff to escape the hands of the "white man". It was said by many early settlers that the Beothuk lived there in the vicinity. The Canning Family who was one of the first recorded "European" Families to settle here claimed that the Beothuk had a path worn down going up over Jumpers Head.