The Bear references

 

"...I think it was Algonquin Park
It was so cold and winter dark
A promised hibernation high
Took me across the great black plate of ice

Now I'm the Islander."

"The Bear" is thought to be inspired by the true story of an Algonquin Park Black Bear who, during an early winter freeze, crossed over to an island hibernation spot. The following summer, campers were shocked to find a bear on what was supposed to be a deserted island.

Algonquin is of course the best known and oldest of Canada's nature preserves, and is Ontario's most visited provincial park. It is mentioned in Lake Fever and was the adopted home of Three Pistols star Tom Thompson. There are believed to be roughly 2000 Black Bears in Algonquin Park today.