The Summer Village of Sunset Point sits on the southeast shore of Lac Ste. Anne—an area shaped by deep Indigenous history, early settlement, and generations of families who return to the lake for community and recreation.
Established
January 21, 1959
Early community
50 residents
Today
189 properties
Since the early 1900’s, Alberta’s lakeshore property has been purchased for cottage use, with public beaches developed along road and rail routes accessible from larger urban centres. Traditionally, summer villages evolved from cottage resort areas where seasonal residents desired a role in local government.
People from all over the world have found a haven along the shores of Lac Ste. Anne. To the south, coal mines generate power and employment. Recreational businesses have flourished because of the lake. Agriculture remains a mainstay, and the area is known for its ability to grow some of the best oat crops in Canada.
Lac Ste. Anne has a long human history before it was considered a recreational destination. The lake was called Wakamne (“God’s Lake”) by the Nakota Sioux and Manitou Sakhahigan (“Lake of the Spirit”) by the Cree First Nations.
As cottage areas grew along travel routes, seasonal residents sought stronger local representation—helping shape the model of summer village governance found across Alberta.
The Summer Village of Sunset Point was officially established on January 21, 1959 with only 50 residents. Today, the community includes 189 properties.
The lake continues to support recreation, business, and community gathering—while the wider region benefits from agriculture, tourism, and industry.
The legend tells of hunters and fishers who spoke of a large creature living in the lake, said to create unpredictable currents that could capsize a canoe. Few people claimed to see it, and when priests arrived, the lake was renamed “Devil’s Lake” in reference to the reported monster. Elders of the Alexis Reserve recall stories of children peering into the lake’s once-clear waters, hoping—and fearing—they might glimpse its legendary form.
In the mid-1800s, Lac Ste. Anne became a centre of settlement, learning, and farming—shaped by the Mission’s founding and the people who built community life along the lake.
Father Thibault chose Devil’s Lake as a central location for a permanent mission for the Métis people, with fertile land, timber, and abundant fish and wildlife—far from Hudson’s Bay politics in Fort Edmonton.
Father Thibault renamed the lake Lac Ste. Anne, honoring a promise to the patron saint, Ste. Anne. He and Father Bourassa moved into a newly built home that also served as a temporary church until 1843.
Priests taught farming to encourage self-sufficiency, anticipating the decline of the buffalo. By 1859 the Mission kept cattle and horses, maintained gardens and flowerbeds, and produced crops such as wheat, barley, potatoes, cabbage, onions, and turnips—supplying much of Fort Edmonton’s food.
Three Gray Nuns traveled from Montreal to the Mission—among the earliest white women to journey to Alberta. They learned Cree, started a school, helped in gardens, and even painted church windows to reduce distractions during services.
In 1842 a Roman Catholic priest, Father Thibault, decided to create a permanent mission for the Métis people. Devil’s Lake offered fertile fields, tall trees for lumber, and plentiful fish and wildlife. On September 8, 1842, Father Thibault renamed the lake to Lac Ste. Anne, honoring his promise to the patron saint, Ste. Anne. He and Father Bourassa moved into a newly constructed home without doors or windows and with a dirt floor. The building also served as the church until a proper one was completed in 1843.
Along with the teachings of the church, the priests taught farming and worked toward self-sufficiency for the Métis people. By 1859 the Mission had livestock and gardens, and produced crops including wheat, barley, potatoes, cabbage, onions, and turnips. The Mission supplied Fort Edmonton with the majority of its food.
In 1859, three Gray Nuns arrived after an arduous journey from Montreal. Lac Ste. Anne welcomed them with enough mud to bog down their wagon at the Mission entrance. The Sisters learned Cree, started a school, supported the gardens, and painted the church windows so worshipers would not be distracted by the beauty outside.
On September 8, 1842, Father Thibault renamed the lake to Lac Ste. Anne—marking the beginning of a mission that would shape settlement, agriculture, and community life across the region.
From a thriving mission community to a world-recognized pilgrimage destination, Lac Ste. Anne’s story reflects resilience, faith, and cultural significance that continues today.
The Mission grew until there were over 2,000 people. The Hudson’s Bay store, a separate school, an orphanage retreat, a North-West Mounted Police barracks, a dance hall, a post office, several stores, saloons and hotels moved into the area, complementing the church, rectory and convent. At one time this mission was larger in population and commerce than Fort Edmonton.
Father Lacombe arrived in 1852. In 1861 he decided to build a new mission at St. Albert. When he left Lac Ste. Anne, the mission was almost deserted by pastors and flock. All that was left were a few homes, the church and rectory, and the nun’s residences.
Over 2,000 people lived and worked in the area, supported by institutions, commerce, and services that made the Mission a regional hub.
Following Father Lacombe’s decision to build a new mission at St. Albert, Lac Ste. Anne’s Mission declined, leaving only a handful of residences and key buildings.
Recorded accounts dating back to 1889 describe healings attributed to the lake’s waters. Testimonies are displayed at a shrine in the form of crutches and sight canes no longer needed.
Today, pilgrims come from all over the world—many walking barefoot as penance. Over 40,000 people attend the annual pilgrimage in the last week of July.
The Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage was declared a National Historic Site of Canada in 2004 for its social and cultural importance, and is recognized as the largest Native gathering in North America on an annual basis.
The story of Lac Ste. Anne reflects deep cultural roots, community life, and enduring tradition—helping shape the region that Sunset Point residents enjoy today.
| Year | Mayor | Councillor | Councillor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | G. Saywell | R.F. Broad | H.M. Patterson |
| 1960 | G. Saywell | R.F. Broad | H.M. Patterson |
| 1961 | G. Saywell | H.M. Patterson | C.V. Cairns |
| 1962 | G. Saywell | H.M. Patterson | N. Laka |
| 1963 | N. Laka | R. Arndt | H.M. Patterson |
| 1964 | N. Laka | R. Arndt | H.M. Patterson |
| 1965 | R. Arndt | H.M. Patterson | Wm. Croteau |
| 1966 | H.M. Patterson | R. Broad | C. Cote |
| 1967 | R. Broad | C. Cote | R. Grady |
| 1968 | R. Broad | C. Cote | P.J. Sabourin |
| 1969 | R. Broad | C. Cote | P.J. Sabourin |
| 1970 | C. Cote | A. Lester | R. Broad |
| 1971 | C. Cote | A. Lester | R. Broad |
| 1972 | R. Broad | D. Morrison | H. Edge |
| 1973 | R. Broad | D. Morrison | H. Edge |
| 1974 | R. Broad | D. Morrison | H. Edge |
| 1975 | R. Broad | D. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 1976 | D. Morrison | G. Poirier | J. Bassani |
| 1977 | G. Poirier | D. Morrison | J. Bassani |
| 1978 | G. Poirier | D. Morrison | J. Bassani |
| 1979 | G. Poirier | D. Morrison | J. Bassani |
| 1980 | G. Poirier | J. Bassani | Coutts |
| 1981 | G. Poirier | J. Bassani | Coutts |
| 1982 | G. Poirier | J. Bassani | Coutts |
| 1983 | G. Poirier | J. Bassani | R. Carson |
| 1984 | G. Poirier | J. Bassani | R. Carson |
| 1985 | G. Poirier | J. Bassani | R. Carson |
| 1986 | G. Poirier | G. Poirier | R. Carson |
| 1987 | J. Bassani | G. Poirier | Wm. Boyd |
| 1988 | J. Bassani | Wm. Boyd | S. Tessier |
| 1989 | J. Bassani | Wm. Boyd | R. Carson |
| 1990 | J. Bassani | R. Carson | J. Bassani |
| 1991 | Wm. Boyd | R. Carson | J. Bassani |
| 1992 | Wm. Boyd | R. Carson | M. Hervieux |
| 1993 | R. Carson | Wm. Boyd | B. Goode |
| 1994 | Wm. Boyd | M. Hervieux | B. Goode |
| 1995 | M. Hervieux | Wm. Boyd | Jim Malcolm |
| 1996 | M. Hervieux | B. Goode | Jim Malcolm |
| 1997 | M. Hervieux | B. Goode | Jim Malcolm |
| 1998 | M. Hervieux | B. Goode | D. Gibbs |
| 1999 | B. Goode | E. Forfylow | D. Forfylow |
| 2000 | B. Goode | A. Morrison | D. Forfylow |
| 2001 | E. Forfylow | A. Morrison | D. Boudreau |
| 2002 | E. Forfylow | A. Morrison | D. Boudreau |
| 2003 | E. Forfylow | A. Morrison | D. Boudreau |
| 2004 | E. Forfylow | A. Morrison | D. Boudreau |
| 2005 | E. Forfylow | A. Morrison | D. Boudreau |
| 2006 | E. Forfylow | A. Morrison | D. Boudreau |
| 2007 | E. Forfylow | A. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 2008 | A. Morrison | A. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 2009 | A. Morrison | A. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 2010 | A. Morrison | A. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 2011 | A. Morrison | A. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 2012 | A. Morrison | A. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 2013 | A. Morrison | A. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 2014 | A. Morrison | A. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 2015 | A. Morrison | A. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 2016 | A. Morrison | A. Morrison | G. Poirier |
| 2017 | A. Morrison | A. Morrison | R. Martin |
| 2018 | A. Morrison | E. Forfylow | B. Purnell |
© 2026 The Summer Village at Sunset Point.
