Elizabeth Wapisk,

According to the info that I got from Red River Ancestry.ca, Elizabeth Wapusk (Bear) was also known as Margaret. Wapusk or Wapisk is a Cree word for "White Bear".

The following is a quote from Red River Ancestry in Manitoba:

"Who was Philip’s wife? There is no documented evidence (that I am aware of) with regard to Philip’s wife, only opinions. One suggests that she was an Eskimo woman, another that she was an Indian (either Cree or Ojibway). Most of the circumstantial evidence suggest that she and Philip began a connubial relationship at Cumberland House around 1778-79. That (in my opinion) debunks the notion that she was an Eskimo woman. It is highly unlikely that there were any Eskimos living in the Cumberland House area around that time. This was the heartland of Cree, Ojibway and Chipewyan Indians who were all historically known to be hostile to Eskimos."

Perhaps she was an Eskimo captive of the natives that lived in the area at the time; however, Wapusk or Wapisk is a Cree word for "White Bear" so it is more likely that she was a Cree.

For more info go to the website (Red River Ancestry.ca) by Gary Still.