{"id":7331,"date":"2024-12-27T10:04:54","date_gmt":"2024-12-27T14:04:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/?page_id=7331"},"modified":"2025-09-14T08:12:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T12:12:32","slug":"etuqamikejk-trail","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/?page_id=7331","title":{"rendered":"Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Entrance to Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail – a “Place Where Two Sides Meet” –\u00a0 by Etu’panuek (Williams Lake).<\/strong> View sign<\/a>
The single-track trail begins just to the left of the sign.
Click on images for larger versions<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

NCC\/HRM (Nature Conservancy of Canada\/Halifax Regional Municipality) have not yet made a formal announcement about the “Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail” in the SWP (Shaw Wilderness Park)* but the signs have been up for a few months. I have been getting questions about it, so here’s some info. about the name and the place.<\/p>\n

– david p\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>
\nJan 14, 2025
\n__________
\n*The Shaw Wilderness Park\u00a0 formally opened in 2020. It is owned by HRM while NCC holds a conservation easement for the Park, an arrangement proposed in 2016 after the land came up for sale.\u00a0 See Williams Lake Conservation Company: Halifax\u2019s New Shaw Wilderness Park<\/a> for details.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> In June of 2022, I was asked by Doug van Hemessen of the Nature Conservancy\u00a0 of Canada to suggest a name for the single track trail that begins at the east end of Etu’panuek\u00a0 just by the little beach\/sitting area close to the dam.<\/p>\n

From there, the trail proceeds south across a rough rocky piece of “Meguma Terrain”, tracks southwest along a geological contact zone\/wetland & watercourse corridor and then takes a turn to the southeast proceeding uphill to the Jack Pine\/Broom Crowberry Barrens on granitic rock of the South Mountain Batholith:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail.<\/strong> Trail Signs at white dots. Trail route generated on Google Earth from a NCC kml file. Distance between the arrows, approx 746 m as the crow flies, 1025 m walking\u00a0 (Google Earth estimate).
Etu’panuek<\/strong>, the Mi’kmak name for Williams Lake, from Ta\u2019n Weji-sqalia\u2019tiek, Mi\u2019kmaw Place Names<\/a>
View Map with elevation profile<\/a>.
Click on image for larger version<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

It’s a traditionally traversed route which NCC cleaned up and marked out with unobtrusive red tags on trees while they eliminated or otherwise discouraged use of splinter trails. A few minutes in,\u00a0 and one is in a very peaceful, natural place, well away from urban life.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Walquqmikek<\/strong> \u2013 gully.\u00a0 On the Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail, Aug 16, 2022. View short video<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

My immediate thought about a trail name was that it should be a Mi\u2019kmaw name. And I was thinking it could be a name that relates to a prominent landscape feature: a geological contact zone \u2013 a place where \u201ctwo lands meet\u201d \u2013 between rocks of the Halifax Formation in the Meguma Terrain<\/strong>* whose origin goes back 500 mya (million years ago) to the edges of the super-continent Gondwana; and rocks of the South Mountain Batholith (SMB)<\/strong> which are \u201cintrusive granites\u201d formed circa 380 mya, all further sculpted by successive glaciations, the last ending only circa 12000 ya.[1]
\n*The name “Meguma” was applied to this terrain by J.E. Woodman in 1902, to acknowledge its occurrence in Mi’kmaki territory. [2] <\/small><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Map showing bedrock geology in the area of Willams and Colpitt Lakes<\/strong>. Click on image for larger version with legends, or view Source Map<\/a> (NS Gov 2014)<\/p><\/div>\n

The Halifax Formation (variously described as a Group or a Formation) is exposed to the north of the contact zone, and the SMB to the south. \u00a0 The low-lying interface is today a major wetland\/watercourse corridor that is highly significant locally for it’s biodiversity and hydrological functions.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Lidar-based map showing hydrological features in the area of Willams and Colpitt Lakes. <\/strong>Extracted from Williams Lake & Purcell’s Cove Wildlands Landscape Inventory Map by Dalhousie University School of Planning group, provided courtesy of Patricia Manuel. View full Map<\/a>
<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Google Earth perspective of Williams Lake Backlands approached from the northeast & direction of water flow along the contact zone between Williams and Colpitt lakes<\/strong>.(Appendix A Map 4 in\u00a0Ecological Assessment of the Plant Communities of the Williams Lake Backlands<\/a> by N. Hill and D Patriquin, 2014. View Contact Zone Williams to Colpitt Lake<\/a> (page on this website) for more about the Contact Zone. View Map with Elevation Profile.<\/a> Click on image for large version.
<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Skipaqmikt<\/strong> \u2013 swamp. On the Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail,\u00a0 Sep 14, 2013.
<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

The\u00a0 Etu\u2019qamikejk\u00a0 trail traverses an unusual landscape with vistas varying from serene to spectacular, adorned here and there with nature’s sculptures in the form of glacial erratics, whalebacks, boulder fields and snags (old dead trees).\u00a0 The palette changes with the seasons, most dramatically in mid-fall when the huckleberry leaves turn fire-engine red.<\/p>\n

I was very familiar with ‘The Language of this land, Mi’kma’ki’<\/a> (Cape Breton University Press, 2012; now Nimbus Publishing) co-authored by anthropologist\/educator Trudy Sable and Mi’kmaw orthographer Bernie Francis. The book describes how the “rhythms, sounds and patterns of the language are inextricably bound with the seasonal cycles of the animals\u00a0 plants, skies, waterways and trade routes” and how “the ancient languages of Eastern North America are reflected in the language and cultural expression of its indigenous peoples, the Mi’kmaq.”<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Paqtaqmikt<\/strong> \u2013 forest. With Bernie and Trudy on the Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail,\u00a0 Aug 28, 2024
<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

It’s a wonderful, enlightening read – and re-read – which made a big impression on me. I was particularly intrigued with the name and discussion, pp 68 & 69, of\u00a0 Taqamiku’jk, the “causeway”, “Boars Back”, “spine’ or “little crossing place” that runs from Parrsboro to Cape Chignecto as I have an interest in the natural history and human history of that area.* I wondered whether that name\/context could apply to the contact zone\/water corridor in the SWP.
\n* See www.parrsboroshoredays.ca<\/a><\/small><\/p>\n

So I thought, why not, I will ask Trudy Sable and Bernie Francis – who I then knew only through the book –\u00a0 for their thoughts about my thoughts.<\/p>\n

The immediate response was that they would like to walk the trail!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Kuowa\u2019qmikt<\/strong> – place of pine (pine grove). On the Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail,\u00a0 Oct 2, 2024
<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

So on a beautiful day in late August 0f 2022 we did just that. During the walk,\u00a0 we discussed various landscape and ecological features we were seeing and the related processes; Bernie was continually verbalizing names for these features. It didn’t stop there.\u00a0 Later he thought a lot more about the features and of what would be the most appropriate expressions to describe them. We held several meetings to discuss it all.<\/p>\n

On Nov 15, 2022, we submitted a report on “Proposed Mi’kmaw names for trail in the Shaw Wilderness Park, and some related landscape features” to NCC\/HRM.\u00a0 In that report, Bernie proposed these names for the trail and some related landscape features:<\/p>\n

The Trail name would be \u201cEtu\u2019qamikejk Trail<\/strong>\u201d*<\/em><\/p>\n

The words in Mi’kmaw are verbalized by Bernie in a recording in the order listed below:<\/em><\/p>\nhttp:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Bernie24Oct2022.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

    \n
  1. Kuowa\u2019qmikt<\/strong> – place of pine (pine grove).<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. Etu\u2019qamikejk<\/strong> – two sides meet, or land on either side (in this case two lands separated by a gully)<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. Paqtaqmikt<\/strong> \u2013 forest<\/em><\/li>\n
  4. Walquqmikek<\/strong> \u2013 gully<\/em><\/li>\n
  5. Skipaqmikt<\/strong> \u2013 swamp<\/em><\/li>\n
  6. Kun’tewa’qmikt<\/strong> \u2013 rocky place, in reference to the Backlands as a whole.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    _____________________________
    \n*Said Bernie in response to a request to spell Etu\u2019qamikejk phonetically:
    \n“It\u2019s: “Eh doo hum i gehjk”. \u00a0The k attached at the end is the locative. It\u2019s a post-position in this case meaning, in or at.”<\/small><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>

    “I’m happy to report that the Etu’qamikejk Trail signs have been installed at the bottom and top of the trail at the Shaw Wilderness Park.
    Thanks for your time and patience with this. Some photos attached.” – Doug van Hemessen to Trudy S, Bernie F, and David P. Aug 28, 2024
    Click on image for larger version<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

    NCC\/HRM accepted the names. Over the ensuing year, the related signage went through a few iterations, discussed between NCC, HRM and ourselves (Bernie F, Trudy S and David P)<\/p>\n

    On Aug 28, 2024, we received word that trail signs had been installed at the bottom and top of the trail (right).<\/p>\n

    At this point we don’t know whether or when there will be more followup, e.g. related to “further interpretive signs eventually along the trail” that would highlight the related landscape features.<\/p>\n

    Regardless, going forward we can continue to enjoy this wonderful landscape and now, to apply these names.<\/p>\n

    Perhaps by practicing the pronunciation of the names as we walk the landscape, we can begin to understand\u00a0 how the “rhythms, sounds and patterns of the Mi’kmaw language are inextricably bound with the seasonal cycles of the animals\u00a0 plants, skies, waterways…” and become ever better stewards of the land in the process.<\/p>\n

    Thanks to Bernie and Trudy for helping us in this endeavor. Thanks to the Mi\u2019kmaw people who stewarded the lands of Mi\u2019kmaw Territory for thousands of year and continue to do so.\u00a0 Thanks to NCC and its many supporters, to HRM,\u00a0 WLCC\u00a0 (Williams Lake Conservation Co.), Allan Shaw and to the many past and ongoing and future volunteers for caring so much about the land now protected as the Shaw Wilderness Park and for all of its inhabitants.<\/p>\n

    – David P,<\/em> Jan 2, 2025<\/p>\n

    Notes<\/strong>
    \n1. On the Geology:<\/strong> Racheal Groat provides a succinct, referenced summary of the Geological History of Purcell’s Cove written for non specialists in pages 17-23 of her\u00a0 Bachelor of Community Design Honours Thesis:     Interpretation Planning for Purcell\u2019s Cove Quarrie<\/a>s (Rachael Groat, 2016). See also her\u00a0 Appendix A: Geologic History Timeline p. 43. The Geological History section begins ” The geology of Purcell\u2019s Cove is special because it is the contact between the granite of the South Mountain Batholith and the slates of the Halifax Group.” The contact zone she cites is is the southeastern extension of the contact zone that the Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail crosses. View View also:
    \n– www.backlandscoalition.ca\/Natural History\/    Geology<\/a>
    \n– www.backlandscoalition.ca\/Natural History\/Specific Areas\/    Contact Zone Williams to Colpitt Lake<\/a><\/p>\n

    2. 1. The name for the Meguma Terrain<\/strong> was proposed by J.E. Woodman (1902) in his Harvard University PhD thesis Geology of the Moose River district, Halifax County, Nova Scotia; together with the pre-Carboniferous history of the Meguma series<\/em>. “To avoid duplication and confusion in the literature, Woodman (1902) proposed using local Mi’kmaq terms rather than geographic terms for unit designation. He assigned the names ‘Lampok’ (which means bottom) and ‘Seskoo’ (which means mud) formations to the designated lower quartzite and the upper slate divisions, respectively [now recognized as the Goldenbille and Halifax Formations respectively]. He also placed these formations into the Meguma series. Meguma is also a Mi’kmaq word, root of the native term for their tribe, and hence appropriate for rocks occupying so large a part of Nova Scotia (Woodman 1902).” – From C.E. White 2010. Stratigraphy of the Lower Paleozoic Goldenville and Halifax groups in southwestern Nova Scotia<\/a> Atlantic Geoscience <\/em>Vol. 46, pp 136 \u2013 154.<\/p>\n

    Other than the Woodman (1902) and White (2010) references cited above, there appears to be little, if any, documentation about the origin of the name Meguma for this geological terrain. In regard to the names assigned by J.E. Woodman in his 1902 thesis (not available digitally), as cited by CE White (2010), Bernie Francis had this to say:<\/p>\n

    “Two words should be corrected: Bottom (of water) should be spelled \u201clampo\u2019q.\u201d, not \u2018Lampok\u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n

    “The word for mud should be \u201csisku\u201d not \u2018Seskoo\u2019 . <\/em><\/p>\n

    “In regard to Woodman’s use of the term “Meguma”, I\u2019m guessing he heard Mi\u2019kmaq but did not hear the velar, q well enough, or, didn\u2019t know how to represent it using the Roman orthography. The q in Mi\u2019kmaw is sometimes simply referred to as the guttural sound. German, Arabic, French, Gaelic and other languages all have it.<\/em><\/p>\n

    “Surprisingly though, the NB dialect of Mi\u2019kmaw uses a glottal stop (sometimes referred to as glottal catch) so-called bc it involves the glottis. Where we use the velar, they\u2019ll use the glottal stop, but not 100% of the time. Some English speakers use the glottal stop for words like \u201cbottle.\u201d They say something like \u201cba \u2018el\u201d with the apostrophe representing glottal catch and the following e is sounded like a schwa.<\/em><\/p>\n

    “Readers may remember the movie, My Fair Lady where a linguist works on the speech of a cockney English speaking young lady. One of the linguist\u2019s problem is his attempt at ridding her of the glottal catch in sentences such as: <\/em>You got a daughter? Which comes across as \u201cYou go\u2019 a daugh\u2019 er. The t is often replaced by a catch.”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    A few more photos illustrating the Contact Zone\/Wetland & Watercourse corridor, and major rock types
    \n<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a>

    Fen in the Contact Zone<\/strong>, Oct 22, 2013<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"\"<\/a>

    Fen in the Contact Zone<\/strong>, Aug 3, 2014.<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"\"<\/a>

    View at the base of the highly metamorphosed and folded Halifax Group outcrops in the Contact Zone, looking north;\u00a0 boulder field in foreground<\/strong>. Photo on Oct 22, 2014. This area burned in May of 2012.<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"\"<\/a>

    Jack Pine\/Broom Crowberry barrens on granitic bedrock in October<\/strong>. Black huckleberry leaves in their “fire-engine red” stage, just before they drop. A patch of low growing Broom Crowberry can be seen in the foreground<\/p><\/div>\n

    \"\"<\/a>

    Elevation Profile<\/strong> generated on Google Earth for a virtual transect from Etu’panuek (Williams Lake), across the folded rock face of the Halifax Formation, across the area of wetlands\/contact zone and up onto the granite of the South Mt. Batholith. The reddish hue (crossed by e to g above) is due to the fire-engine red coloration of black huckleberry leaves just before they drop (Google Earth image dated Oct 3, 2016).<\/p><\/div>\n

    For more about the natural history of the area, see
    \n–     Natural History<\/strong><\/a>
    \nA section of this website
    \n–     Ecological Assessment of the Plant Communities of the Williams Lake Backlands<\/strong><\/a>
    \nA report by N. Hill and D. Patriquin to the Williams Lake Conservation Co. Feb 12, 2014. (108 pp) Available on Dalspace
    \n–     Shaw Wilderness Park Field Trip<\/strong> <\/a>
    \nReport on an excursion by the Halifax Field Naturalists, led by Sean Haughian of the NS Museium of Natural History, 8 June 2025, by Brian Bartlett
    \n —–
    \n    List of Mi’kmaw names cited above<\/strong><\/a>
    \nTo print, carry on your next walk on the Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    NCC\/HRM (Nature Conservancy of Canada\/Halifax Regional Municipality) have not yet made a formal announcement about the “Etu\u2019qamikejk Trail” in the SWP (Shaw Wilderness Park)* but the signs have been up for a few months. I have been getting questions about … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":5270,"menu_order":10,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7331","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7331","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7331"}],"version-history":[{"count":126,"href":"https:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7331\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8263,"href":"https:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7331\/revisions\/8263"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/backlandscoalition.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7331"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}