 An Erielhonan legend taught that the Great Spirit led them to Presque Isle because of the wealth of game , the abundance of clean fresh water , and the cool breezes " coming from the land of snow and ice " ( i.e. Canada ) . Another legend explains how the Erielhonan ventured into Lake Erie in search of the land where the sun set , but the spirit of the lake blew a fierce storm to keep them from finding it . To protect the Erielhonan from the storm , their god laid his outstretched arm into the lake , giving them safety during the storm . The god 's arm remained in the lake , protecting the tribe 's future generations . 
