 The reserve is named after the historical name of the Escoumins River, that around 1664, was known as "Esseigiou".Charles Arnaud, who spent many years of his life among the Montagnais stated that the river was also called "Etshipi", meaning "river of shells".The Montagnais have frequented the place for thousands of years, gathering berries that covered the rocks and adorned the mossy plains in the spring.