Legend of Malabeam & First Nations

A young Maliseet maiden saved her people from destruction by luring an attacking party of Mohawks.

Five hundred years ago, the Wigoudi (St-John River) flowed over the falls. On the banks above, the Maliseets had built a village. At that time, the Maliseets had the Mohawks as their foes.

Sacobie and his young daughter Malabeam were on an island above the Quisibis stream.

The Mohawks eliminated Sacobie and took Malabeam prisoner. ‘‘If you guide us to your father’s village, your life will be spared, and you will wed a Mohawk brave”. 

‘‘Keep your canoes together and I will lead the way” said Malabeam.

During the night they could hear the thunderous roar “But it is only a torrent that joins the Wigoudi”, she said.

With a cry of triumph, she went over the falls bringing along all 300 Mohawks into the dark abyss of death 80 feet below.

The bodies of the Mohawks were found the following day, but not Malabeam’s. Her tribe frequently tells this story around their council fires and still honours her name.

James Hannay, poet