Powwow Country: Beothuk Interpretation Centre, Boyd’s Cove, Newfoundland

Beothuk Interpretation Centre, Boyd’s Cove, Newfoundland

Boyd’s Cove Beothuk Interpretation Centre has much to offer, from a detailed diorama of a replica canoe to a discussion on the three main reasons that led to the extinction of the Beothuk to a 20-minute video on the archeological dig to a plant-labeled trail that leads to the remains of the archeological site, which was discovered in 1981 to a viewing deck which overlooks the ocean to telescopes that allow visitors to view where the Beothuk would have gone. Most of the dig, 4.5 km from the centre, remains intact and there are no plans to continue excavation.  Dr. Ralph Pastore excavated four of the 11 houses. “Dr. Pastore was a firm believer in never fully excavating a site. He believed in leaving things for other archeologists with technology changing so rapidly with the advancement, that maybe someone would come back in 60 or 70 or 100 years time and be able to tell something he couldn’t possibly have known back in the ‘80s,” said Karen LeDrew-Day, interpreter at the centre.  While the dig is not accessible, there are viewing decks and benches that allow visitors to rest and visually examine the site. “You can walk right around the beach and comb the beach as well and walk where the Beothuks walked basically almost 300 years ago,” said LeDrew-Day. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful site. It’s my passion. I love the site.” When LeDrew-Day started at the centre, there was nothing in the exhibit room. The site is open from mid-May to mid-October.

Photo Caption: The Spirit of the Beothuk statue, created by Gerald Squires and cast by Luben Boykhov,  is located on the hiking trail of the Beothuk Interpretation Centre.
Photo: provided