Wawa is a small township in Ontario's Algoma District, situated on the western shores of Wawa Lake — a body of water whose original name, Wawungonk, translates roughly to 'place of clear water' or 'hills covered in clear snow.' With a population of approximately 2,900, it sits deep in the boreal wilderness of the northern Lake Superior shoreline, making it one of the more remote communities in the province. The town is famously anchored by its iconic goose statue, a landmark Gates stops to appreciate — though a local corrects him on its superlative status. In S12E05 of Expedition Unknown, Gates passes through Wawa as a staging point, stocking up on wilderness essentials at Young's General Store before boarding a Cessna Caravan piloted by Canadian bush pilot Kurt Brassard to reach Michipicoten Island, roughly 50 miles offshore. The community has historically served as a gateway to rugged northern Ontario wilderness, and that function is very much on display in the episode.
Gold and iron ore discovered in the Wawa region, spurring industrial development tied to Sault Ste. Marie's steel industry.
The Helen Mine begins operation; from 1900 to 1918 it achieves the highest production of iron ore of any mine in Canada.
The Township of Michipicoten is officially renamed Wawa, after its largest and best-known community.
Gates passes through Wawa in Expedition Unknown S12E05 'Chasing Bonnie and Clyde,' using the town as a staging point for Michipicoten Island.
Wawa's historical significance lies less in dramatic archaeology and more in resource extraction and frontier commerce. The region was first developed around the fur trade, and by the late 19th century, gold and iron ore discoveries reshaped the local economy entirely. According to Wikipedia, the Helen Mine operated from 1900 to 1918 and achieved the highest iron ore production of any mine in Canada during that period — a remarkable industrial footnote for such a remote community.
The town's name itself carries quiet historical depth. Wawa Lake was originally called Wawungonk, an Anishinaabe-derived name generally interpreted as 'place of clear water' or 'hills covered in clear snow.' The township was formally known as the Township of Michipicoten until 2007, when it was renamed for its most recognizable settlement — a decision that reflects the area's ongoing identity as defined by that single, small community on the lake's western shore.
In the broader context of Expedition Unknown's minesweeper investigation, Wawa functions as a transitional node rather than an archaeological site in its own right. Gates is not investigating anything in the town itself — he's resupplying and catching a bush plane. That said, the episode captures something genuine about northern Ontario: the sheer logistical weight of operating in this part of Canada, where 'remote' is not a marketing term but a practical reality. Kurt Brassard's bush plane is not local color; it is necessary infrastructure.
The Wawa Goose moment is a small but telling piece of Gates' editorial voice. Rather than uncritically repeating the 'world's largest' claim, the show lets the correction land — and Gates rolls with it. It is a minor moment, but it reflects the show's general disposition toward accuracy, even when the stakes are just a goose statue.
Wawa Lake's original Anishinaabe name, Wawungonk, is generally translated as 'place of clear water' or 'hills covered in clear snow.'
The Helen Mine, operating from 1900 to 1918, produced more iron ore than any other mine in Canada during that period.
The Township was officially called the Township of Michipicoten until it was renamed Wawa in 2007.
Despite the Wawa Goose statue standing 28 feet tall, Gates is corrected on camera that it is not actually the world's largest goose statue — there is reportedly a bigger one in Missouri.
Wawa is generally accessible by road via Highway 17 through northern Ontario and is a common stopping point for travelers on the Trans-Canada Highway corridor. Young's General Store and the Wawa Goose statue are publicly viewable landmarks; visitors should expect a small, working community rather than a tourist destination. Check current road and weather conditions, particularly outside summer months, as northern Ontario conditions can change quickly.
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, approximately 220 kilometres (roughly 135 miles) to the south along Highway 17.
Summer (June through August) offers the most reliable road conditions and comfortable temperatures for exploring the surrounding wilderness. Fall can be scenic but weather in northern Ontario turns quickly, and winter travel on remote highways requires preparation.
Lake Superior
Wawa sits on the northern Lake Superior shoreline, and the same S12E05 episode centers on a minesweeper search in the Lake Superior region.
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan appears elsewhere in the Gates investigation catalog as another Great Lakes site connected to underwater search operations.
Historical data sourced from Wikipedia