Many people from all over North America make the pilgrimage, barefoot, to Lake St. Anna.
Christopher Francis – Vatican
Lac Ste. Lake Anne is one of the most sacred places of North American indigenous peoples. The water of this lake is traditionally believed to have healing powers. The lake therefore holds spiritual significance for Catholics in Canada, and for Aboriginal peoples and the people of the Northwestern United States. Thousands of pilgrims visit this lake every year. Wakamne means “Lake of the Gods” by the Nakota Sioux, and the Cree people call it “Lake of the Spirit” because of the many snakes in the lake. First Nations and Métis peoples have used the lake for hunting and fishing. Lac Ste. Anne Village is one of the most permanent Métis settlements in Canada. In the late 19th century, in 1842, Quebec Catholic mystic Jean-Baptiste Thibault opened a monastery at the site. After some time, the temple was abandoned without any patrons. Later, in 1889, Reverend Joseph J. Lestanc of the Amalmari Martyrs’ Congregation made a pilgrimage to this place on the 26th of July, the feast day of St. Anna, in the name of St. Anna. After that the place came to be known as St. Anna’s Lake after St. Anna, mother of Mary and grandmother of Jesus. In 1926, more than 5,500 pilgrims traveled 72 kilometers by train from Edmonton to the site. Now many people from all over North America make the pilgrimage, barefoot, to this place. They are also said to be saying that many innovations are happening. In 2004 Lac Ste. Anne’s pilgrimage site has been declared a National Historic Site of Canada due to its social and cultural significance.