It shows as early as 1823 on a Franklin Expedition map, and in the Fort Chipewyan Hudson's Bay Company 1822 post journal. Bustard, or the French equivalent outarde, by which the island was sometimes known, is another name for the Canada goose, Branta canadensis. It likely refers to the abundance of the goose on the island at certain times of the year. It is likely the island referred to by George Simpson as Big Island. On Dr. Robert Bell's map of 1884, it is referred to as McFarlane's Island.

Approximately 225 km north north-east of Fort McMurray in Lake Athabasca.