The City of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue is located on a place of passage used by First Nations before the arrival of Europeans on the territory. It bears the names of Tiotenactokte (in Algonquin: Here are the last encumbrances) or Skanawetsy (in Iroquois: Eaux vives). These two words illustrate precisely the particular geographical situation of what will become Sainte-Anne.
At this time – and still today – the rapids were popular fishing grounds given the quality and quantity of fish available. Samuel de Champlain is the first known European to have visited and mapped the region when he came up the Ottawa River in 1613. The natives who guided him knew the strategic importance of this point at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the St. Lawrence River.
This indigenous heritage is highlighted by the City at Kelso Park, where a white pine tree was planted in 2005 as part of a cultural exchange program between Kahnawake and the City of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.
In 2017, the City inaugurated a commemorative plaque in honor of the Mohawk Nation at the same location. This plaque is part of the City's commitment to educating citizens and visitors about its history and milestones and expresses our alliance with the Mohawk Nation and our shared commitment to the environment. The alliance is also asserted by the Mohawk language used on the plaque to pay homage to members of the Mohawk Nation studying at John Abbott College and McGill University.
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