[ganong] INDIAN PLACE-NOMENCLATURE 87 



SEBEIIK, meaning PASSAGE, a word common in Acadian place-names as will 

 later be shown. 



POKSINAK. The aboriginal Micmac name of the Northwest Millstream, 

 a minor branch of the Northwest Miramichi from the north between Beaubears 

 Island and Redbank. It was given me by the late Michel Flinne, teacher of the 

 Micmac school at Eelground near by, as POKSINAK', and the accuracy of the 

 localization and form are attested by the occurrence of the name in just this position 

 in the form POKCHENE on the fine de MeuUes map of 1686. The word apparently 

 carries some indelicate allusion, for Mr. Flinne wrote me "It is considered best not to 

 give the meaning of this word." It looks very much as if related to Pokeshaw, earlier 

 considered. In any case it apparently includes the root POOK, meaning NARROW. 

 Probably BOKSNOCK, Micmac name for Bass River, Kent Co., N.B. is the same. 



POKUMMOOWADOOGWITCHK SEEBOO. The aboriginal name for 

 Oxford Brook which empties through the Indian village of Eelground above Beau- 

 bears Island on the Northwest Miramichi. It has been given me by the late Michel 

 Fhnne as PÔ-KUM-MOO-WÂ-DOO-GWTTCH SEBOO, and he explains it as 

 originating from the settlement there of some Indians from Pokemouche, which 

 may possibly be correct. In any case it appears to involve our root POOK meaning 

 NARROW. The word has also another interest in helping to explain, perhaps, 

 the presence of a word on the I'Hermitte map of 1724 in this position, viz., 

 PACTQUEMA, v/hich looks as though it might be connected with the above name 

 of Oxford Brook, if indeed the two words do not have a common origin {these Trans- 

 actions, III, 1897, ii, 376). On the point just east of this brook stood formerly a 

 fortified post belonging to Richard Denys, Sieur de Fronsac, and its commander was 

 Sieur de Grez or Degré, who had lived at Pokemouche. (The Champlain Society's 

 edition of Father le Clercq's Nouvelle Relation de la Gaspesie, 179, and these 

 Transactions, V, 1899, ii, 318). 



POKEMOUCHE. The name of a River in northeastern New Brunswick. 

 Despite much study, and a close personal acquaintance with the place, I have not 

 yet been able to satisfy myself as to its exact origin. But there is no question I 

 believe that the prefix POK is the Micmac POOK of the preceding words meaning 

 NARROW, and refers to the notable Narrows where the river cuts through a ridge 

 just below the junction of the North and South rivers, a distinctive feature not 

 found, in the lower courses at least, of any other rivers of this region. But I expect 

 yet to solve the name in full. 



POKESUEDIE. The name of an Island on the extreme northeast coast of 

 New Brunswick between Shippegan and Caraquet. Despite much study I have 

 not yet been able to determine definitely the roots of the name, but the earliest 

 known form, viz., PICQUECHSDEE, and the form of some charts, POQUESUEDIE, 

 suggest a connection with POKW, meaning SHALLOW, though other forms of the 

 word, POCSUEDIER, POKSUDI, suggest rather a connection with POOK, mean- 

 ing NARROW. This is strongly confirmed by Rand's BOOKSAIvADEK, "an 

 island in Shippegan River," of which one meaning is A NARROW PASSAGE 

 BETWEEN ROCKS {Reader, 100). I suspect the name belonged originally to the 

 narrow and shoal passage separating this island from the mainland ; but the matter 

 must have further study. 



POOGUNIKPECHK. The aboriginal Micmac name of Pictou Harbour, 

 given by Rand as POOGUNIKPECHK, but without meaning {Reader, 97). It 

 seems to me probable that the root POOG is POOK, meaning NARROW in allusion 

 to the relatively narrow entrance to the Harbour; but this is tentative, and the 

 word awaits further study. 



