Spanish Indian Residential Schools
The Spanish Indian Residential Schools were part of the Canadian residential school system and one of the 130 schools for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children that operated in Canada between 1874 and 1996. Operated by the Jesuits of English Canada, the Daughters of the Heart of Mary and the Government of Canada the residential schools operated in Spanish, Ontario from 1913 to 1965.[1]
Contents
Early Years[edit]
Prior to the establishment of the residential school in Spanish, Ontario the Jesuits operated a day school at Wikwemikong First Nation beginning in 1838. In 1862 the Wikwemikong Industrial School, Girls' Department opened. In 1878 the corresponding Boys' Department was opened by the Jesuits with assistance from the Canadian government. In 1885 both schools were destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt. The Canadian government approved the Wikimikong School for funding through the residential school system in 1884.[2]
Relocation to Spanish[edit]
In 1913 the girls school at Wikwemikong burned down. At the same time a decision was made to move the boys school to Spanish, Ontario as it was believed that there would be increased access to the school in Spanish given its location near the railroad. The fire at the girls school resulted in the relocation of both schools in Spanish in 1913.[1]
St. Peter Claver School[edit]
The St. Peter Claver School for Boys in Spanish, Ontario was the only residential school in Canada operated by the Jesuit order. The school consisted of a large three story stone building. The school also had out buildings including a barn, stable, machine sheds, saw mill, and storage buildings. The school was located on a 600-acre site on the North Shore of Lake Huron.[3]
The school housed 180 boys. Combined with the girls school the Spanish schools were the largest residential school in Ontario.[1]
St. Joseph's School[edit]
Following the relocation of the St. Joseph's School For Girls the school continued to be operated by the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. The school was located on 400 acres of land next to the St. Peter Claver School. The St. Joseph school was the only residential school operated by the Daughters order.
In 1981 the Girls School building was ravaged by fire. However the shell of this building still stands in Spanish, Ontario.[2]
Garnier High School[edit]
The Garnier High School established in 1947 was operated out of the boys school. The school was commonly referred to as Garnier College. For administrative purposes the schools were considered one and operated under the name Spanish Indian Residential School.[1] The Spanish schools were all closed by 1965 and the Garnier build was demolished in 2004.
Author Basil H. Johnston wrote extensively about his experience at the Spanish residential schools in his book Indian School Days published in 1988.
School Principals[edit]
St. Peter Claver School For Boys[edit]
| Principal Name | Years |
|---|---|
| L.V. Dugas, S.J. | 1913-1916 |
| Eugene A. Papineau, S.J. | 1916-1917 |
| T.A. Desautels, S.J. | 1918-1919 |
| Victor Gravel, S.J. | 1919-1922 |
| Rev. Arthus, S.J. | 1922 |
| J.B. Sauve, S.J. | 1923 |
| Charles Belanger, S.J. | 1924-1929 |
| James Howitt, S.J. | 1931 |
| Paul Mery, S.J. | 1932-1937 |
| James Howitt, S.J. | 1937-1941 |
| C.A. Primeau, S.J. | 1942-1945 |
| J.R. Oliver, S.J. | 1946-1949 |
St. Joseph's School for Girls[edit]
| Principal Name | Years |
|---|---|
| Miss Lucy | ? - September 1885 |
| Miss MIller | 1985-1910 |
| Sister Louise Bonnet | 1932 |
| Sister Zoe St. James | 1932-1938 |
| Miss Chloe Laferriere | 1938-1944 |
| Miss Zoe St. James | 1944-1951 |
| Miss R. McIntyre | 1951-1952 |
| Miss A. Straine | 1952-1955 |
| Miss Madeline MacDonald | 1955-1956 |
| Miss A. Straine | 1956-1957 |
| Miss Annie M. Berrigan (Principal-Teacher) | 1958-1960 |
| Miss Madeleine MacDonald | 1960-1964 |
| Miss Louise Gattie (Principal-Teacher) | 1961-1962 |
| Miss Gleason (Supervisor) | 1961-1962 |
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b c d Auger, Donald J (2005). Indian Residential Schools in Ontario. Nishnawbe Aski Nation.
- ^ a b c "Spanish IRS School Narrative" (PDF). National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- ^ Jesuits in English Canada collection, Series: Photograph series. Sault Ste Marie, ON: Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, Algoma University.
- ^ Canadian Institute of Jesuit Studies (1991). Dictionary of Jesuit Biography : Ministry to English Canada, 1842-1987. Canadian Institute of Jesuit Studies. ISBN 096953230X.
