Old Wives Lake

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A shallow saline lake, fed by the Wood River. In drought years, the lake has partially (and sometimes completely) dried up. A migratory bird sanctuary was established at the lake on March 9, 1925.

The name of the lake comes from a Cree legend. Cree hunters wandered into Blackfoot territory and made camp near the lake, where they were then attacked by Blackfoot scouts. Though they successfully defended themselves, they anticipated another attack from a larger Blackfoot force the next morning. The old women of the Cree group came up with a diversion - they tended to the fires through the night, giving the illusion of a full camp while the men, younger women and children escaped under the cover of darkness. In the morning when the Blackfoot arrived, they found only the old women, whom they killed in vengeance. According to some traditions, the spirits of the old women inhabit the Isle of Bays in the middle of the lake, and their voices can still be heard.

esask.uregina.ca/entry/old_wives_lake.html
www.pnr-rpn.ec.gc.ca/nature/whp/sanctuaries/dc01s09.en....
www.manomet.org/WHSRN/sites/Chaplin%20Old%20Wives%20Ree...