Grey Owl the Fake Native American Conservationist

It was claimed that the conservationist known as Grey Owl was responsible for saving the Canadian beaver from extinction. He lectured, authored books, and discussed the world's dangerous impact of man. He tried to persuade people that they needed to live in harmony with nature rather than destroying it. Overall, a wonderful undertaking for this enigmatic man who was half Apache and half Scottish but was a total phony.

The birth of Grey Owl Theodore Stansfeld Belaney was born in England's East Sussex county of Hastings. He was entirely British and not at all Native American. Though he performed the role, he spent the majority of his time in Canada. He dressed in typical Native attire, down to his moccasins, and had feathered braids on his hair.

Belaney migrated to Canada at the age of 17 in or around 1905 because he was attracted as a child by tales of Native Americans. After getting married to an Ojibwa lady and learning the language, he made up the identity of a half-Apache, half-white man. He would later marry women and pick up skills from other native Canadians.

He published works on conservation that were so well-liked that audiences at Buckingham Palace and other prestigious venues called him to give lectures. His wife didn't divulge his full identity till after his passing. Ironically, after lying about himself the entire time, the revelation has damaged the memory of a man who was actually a wonderful conservationist and truly helped the environment and local species.