Winnipegosis

Winnipegosis lies at the mouth of the Mossey River on the western shore of Lake Winnipegosis. The lake’s Cree-derived name means “little muddy water,” distinguishing it from the larger Lake Winnipeg. Its shores and waterways connect the forest and parkland of western Manitoba with the Saskatchewan River basin. The Mossey carries the waters of Dauphin Lake north to the larger lake.

In 1741 La Vérendrye established Fort Dauphin near the mouth of the Mossey at the request of Cree and Assiniboine people. The post joined a network of French trading sites extending into the western interior. Indigenous hunters, guides and traders sustained the exchange of furs and provisions across the lakes, while rivalry between trading companies later brought further posts to the region.