#15 - The Legend of the Wendigo

Unsolved Canadian Mysteries

The Wendigo is one of Canada's most chilling and enduring legends, deeply rooted in the oral traditions of various Indigenous communities, particularly among Algonquian-speaking tribes. This creature, often associated with the harsh, unforgiving winters of the North, has fascinated and frightened people for centuries. Yet, despite its presence in popular culture, much of what people believe about the Wendigo is far from its original folklore. Contrary to the modern depiction of a towering, antlered beast, the Wendigo was traditionally described as a gaunt, skeletal figure with frostbitten skin, glowing eyes, and an insatiable hunger for human flesh.

The legend of the Wendigo serves as more than just a spooky tale to share around the fire. It is, at its core, a warning against unchecked greed, isolation, and the dangers of cannibalism in desperate times. During harsh winters when food was scarce, individuals who consumed human flesh out of necessity were said to become possessed by the Wendigo spirit. This transformation, however, was more than just physical. Those afflicted would become overcome with an insatiable desire to eat more human flesh, no matter how much they consumed.

Jesuit missionaries documented encounters with such individuals as early as the 1600s. Their records describe people suffering from what later came to be known as Wendigo psychosis—a psychological condition where individuals believed they were transforming into the creature and developed a terrifying urge to consume others. These cases were not isolated. Across northern Canada, tales spread of entire families being overtaken by the Wendigo spirit, leaving devastation in their wake.

One of the most infamous cases was that of Jack Fiddler, a Cree shaman who lived in the early 20th century. Fiddler claimed to have killed at least 14 people he believed were either already Wendigos or on the verge of becoming one. In 1907, he and his brother were arrested by the Canadian authorities and charged with murder after Fiddler admitted to killing a woman who, he insisted, was possessed and posed a danger to her family. His actions were rooted in long-standing Cree spiritual beliefs, but the Western legal system saw them as cold-blooded crimes. Fiddler died by suicide before his trial concluded, while his brother was later convicted but eventually pardoned.

The Wendigo legend has since permeated popular culture, appearing in books, television shows, and films. However, these modern interpretations often distort the creature’s appearance, adding antlers and other animalistic features that do not align with traditional accounts. Indigenous communities have expressed concern over these misrepresentations, as the Wendigo was never a mere monster but a symbol of deeper cultural warnings about excess, selfishness, and survival.

Even today, tales persist of Wendigo sightings in the dense forests of Northern Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba. Some hunters and trappers claim to have heard strange growls, seen fleeting shadows, or even stumbled upon twisted, unidentifiable tracks in the snow. Whether these are tricks of the imagination or genuine encounters with the Wendigo spirit remains unknown.

Join us as we delve deeper into the true story of the Wendigo on Unsolved Canadian Mysteries. We’ll explore the historical records, the psychological phenomenon of Wendigo psychosis, and the terrifying accounts that have kept this legend alive for generations. Don’t miss our latest episode, available now on Spotify and YouTube!