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Lac La Biche Rocky Mountain House Lac Ste. Anne St. Albert Our Lady of Peace Mission Lesser Slave Lake Dunvegan

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  Women in Place Names: Lac Ste. Anne
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Originally known by the Aboriginal community as Manito Sakahigan or "Lake of the Spirit,"  Lac Ste. Anne received its current designation in 1844 from Oblate Jean-Baptiste Thibault, who named the lake for his patron Ste. Anne de Beaupré, the mother of Mary.

Thibault chose Lac Ste. Anne for a mission site because of the surrounding population of Métis and French-speaking, Roman Catholic settlers. As well, located approximately 75 kilometres northwest of present-day Edmonton, the new mission was a substantial distance from the nearest Hudson's Bay Company post, which gave it a degree of independence that was supported by fish and game resources and soil considered suitable for agriculture.

In1852 Albert Lacombe replaced an ailing Thibault at Lac Ste. Anne and quickly devoted his energy to organizing a farming venture for the nearby Métis. Lots were measured out and the necessary tools and supplies were brought in. Despite these efforts, however, the endeavour failed-there were early frosts, the soil was disappointing, and extensive forests had to be cleared. Moreover, farming was not the traditional occupation of the Métis, and they were little inclined to adopt a new lifestyle.

Lacombe, nevertheless, diligently continued his work at Lac Ste. Anne and, as the years passed, was joined by additional Oblate missionaries, including Father Réne Rémas, which allowed him to increasingly travel to the outlying regions and widen his ministry. As well, in 1859 three Grey Nuns-Sister Emery, Sister Adèle Lamy and Sister Alphonse-and a female Métis interpreter joined the Oblate fathers to support and broaden the missionary effort.

 Ethnic Roots: Francophone Oblate Missionaries
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Ethnic Roots: Métis
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