Prior to 2017, the community was accessible only by winter road, boat, or airplane.

[2][3] The First Nation and fur trade community there was officially started in the 19th century, but the spot was a traditional hunting and fishing area for thousands of years.

[4] In 1842, a new warehouse was built and the post served as a transshipment point and to protect the trade at Little Grand Rapids, located about 140 kilometres (90 mi) upstream of the Berens River.

HBC divested this department in 1987 to The North West Company, which still operates a Northern Store in Berens River First Nation.

[6] Berens River experiences a humid continental climate (Dfb).