This Guide identifies records that relate to Indigenous peoples and communities of Alberta currently in the holdings of the Provincial Archives. These records include those created by both government departments and private individuals and organizations.
To help in your research, records often appear under more than one subject. Under each subject will be a link to a page in our database containing all records within that subject. Use this Guide in combination with keyword or subject searches of the database for access to all relevant archival material.
We have aimed to compile an exhaustive list of relevant material. Please note that this is an ongoing project and new descriptions will occasionally be added.
If you have questions about how to use this Guide or accessing the records, please contact the Sandra Thomson Reading Room.
Education
These records contain interviews with students and teachers, Alberta Government records and correspondence, and records created by and in collaboration with First Nations, among several other sources. These records include some references to residential schools, but largely focus on other educational records, programs, and reports.
Click here to access these records
Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Education”
Employment, Business, and Community Development
These records generally document how Indigenous people have been represented and impacted in employment and economic development in Alberta. This includes topics such as Indian agent correspondence, mining, agriculture and farming, Métis and First Nation relocations, statistics and legislation, resource management, government department statistics, career centres, and Indigenous cooperatives bylaws and other material.
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Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Employment”
Indigenous Languages Records
Records are fully or partially in Indigenous languages, regardless of content or specific subject matter, including textual material and audiovisual records.
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Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Languages”
Filmmaking, Audio, and Creative Records
Records consist of video, audio, and other creative records, as well as related textual records. The records are documentaries, oral histories, and fictional stories, among others, and cover a wide variety of topics, including arts, culture, and heritage. See the records of specific filmmakers to examine the wide and deep bodies of work held at the PAA.
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Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Creative”
Healthcare
These include hospital records, patient files, medical program records and correspondence, and fee schedules. The majority of these records were created by the provincial government. Healthcare facilities include the Blood Indian Hospital, Baker Memorial Sanitarium, Standoff Hospital, Bonnyville Indian-Métis Rehabilitation Centre, Standoff Hospital, Aberhart Memorial Sanatorium, and the Camsell Hospital.
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Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Healthcare”
Housing, Transportation, and Infrastructure
Records document policies, projects, and correspondence in or about Indigenous reserves and communities. The records include references to utilities, Planning Services, housing and construction applications, needs assessments, existing housing and social conditions, and road maintenance and construction. Many of the records reference specific communities.
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Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Infrastructure”
Law and the Criminal Justice System
Records are related to Indigenous peoples and courts, laws, policing, prisons, and other criminal justice-related content. Most come from provincial government sources; other records are from community members or larger Indigenous organizations, with examples such as treatment programs and correspondence on the White Paper (a 1969 document proposing the abolishing of all previous legal documents in Canada making up Canadian Indigenous laws).
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Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Law”
Maps, Land Use, and Population Statistics
Records include maps, population statistics, and research concerning Indigenous people and nations, with a focus on those records that concern Alberta or multiple Treaty areas as a whole. For maps and records that are more specific to individual Treaties and communities, refer to those Treaties throughout this Guide.
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Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Stats”
Social Services and Children’s Affairs
Records relate to programs and decision-making in governments and organizations on Indigenous children. A major portion of these records concern adoption, foster care, and child welfare.
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Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Social Services”
Photography
Records depict Indigenous people and their lives, communities, and families. The records included in this subject are mostly composed of larger collections not specific to a Treaty Territory, but also include some smaller photographic collections or records that do not currently have a clear Treaty connection. Please also see specific school and Treaty territory subjects and for other photos.
Click here to access these records
Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Photography”
Histories and Storytelling from Indigenous people
Records contain histories and storytelling from Indigenous people and communities. Included are written and recorded biographies and recollections, stories and storytelling, and correspondence, among other records. Please see the Filmmaking, Audio, and Creative Content subject for related records.
Click here to access these records
Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Histories”
Reports and Studies about and on Indigenous people
Records include reports, studies, and histories about Indigenous people and communities. The sources of these records include the provincial government, researchers, and documents generated as part of the creation of documentary films, among others. Please see the Filmmaking, Audio, and Creative Content subject for related records.
Click here to access these records
Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Reports”
Treaty 6
Records specific to the geographical area of this Treaty Territory are included in this subject. These records will be varied, from personal diaries and audio recordings to research manuscripts and correspondence with Government agents. The subject is further subdivided into several sub-sections for more targeted access. Records that are more relevant to multiple Treaty territories (as opposed to solely or mostly relevant to Treaty 6) can be found in the subjects above that better reflect their content.
Click here to access all Treaty 6 records
Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Treaty 6”
Treaty 7
Records specific to the geographical area of this Treaty Territory are included in this subject. These records will be varied, from personal diaries and audio recordings to research manuscripts and correspondence with Government agents. This subject is further subdivided into several sub-sections for more targeted access. Records that are more relevant to multiple Treaty territories (as opposed to solely or mostly relevant to Treaty 7) can be found in the subjects above that better reflect their content.
Click here to access all Treaty 7 records
Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Treaty 7”
Treaty 8
Records specific to the geographical area of this Treaty Territory are included in this subject. These records will be varied, from personal diaries and audio recordings to research manuscripts and correspondence with Government agents. This subject is further subdivided into several sub-sections for more targeted access. Records that are more relevant to multiple Treaty territories (as opposed to solely or mostly relevant to Treaty 8) can be found in the subjects above that better reflect their content.
Click here to access all Treaty 8 records
Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Treaty 8”
Métis Resources
This subject collects the records related to Métis people, life, and communities held at the PAA. Records are wide ranging, from interview audio recordings and genealogical charts to conference records and legislation correspondence. The subject is further subdivided into several sub-sections for more targeted access.
Click here to access all Métis Resources
Or, search using the following term: “IRG_Métis”
- Métis Resources: Governance, Children, and Education
- Métis Resources: Legislation, Settlements, and Scrip
- Métis Resources: Histories
- Métis Resources: Photographs and Maps
The files relating to Day and Residential schools are organized alphabetically, by the name of school. Records are grouped together both by location and by institution. If the title of the school begins with "St.," use the first word of the school name after "St." For example, find St. Bruno's under "B."Western Canada Residential, Day, and Boarding Schools
Clicking on one of the school names below will bring you to a prepared search for files relating to that school. Remember to also search using alternate school names and geographic locations, which are noted below each school in this list.
Schools, A-B
- also: Hay Lakes Residential School, Assumption Day School, Habay Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1951-1970
- Dene Tha’ Hay Lake Reserve
- also: St. Benedict, Sovereign, Whitefish Lake, and St. Peter's Day Schools
- Roman Catholic and Anglican operated schools, 1895-1962
- Atikameg
- also: Shaftesbury Residential School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1900-1907
- Peace River, Smokey River, Shaftesbury
- also: Sarcee Day School, Bull Head School
- Anglican, Methodist (United), and Mennonite operated, 1899-1961
- T’suu Tina, Sarcee Reserve
- also: St. Bruno’s Boarding School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1897 -1995
- Ile à la Crosse, Beauval, Saskatchewan
- also: Ta Otha Day School
- Mennonite (United) operated, 1949-1989
- Big Horn Reserve, Rocky Mountain House
- (Lac La Biche, Saddle Lake, and St. Paul)
- Roman Catholic operated, 1862-1986
- Lac la Biche, Saddle Lake, & St. Paul
- Roman Catholic operated, 1955-1963
- Rocky Lane
- also: Fort Smith Hostel, Joseph Burr Tyrell School, Grandin College
- Roman Catholic operated, 1957-1985
- Fort Smith, Northwest Territories
- also: St. Cyprian, Brocket, and Sacred Heart Residential Schools, Queen Victoria's Jubilee Home, Peigan Day School
- Roman Catholic and Anglican operated schools, 1887-1986
- Brocket, Peigan Reserve
Schools, C-F
- LeGoff Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1916-1933, 1953-1997
- Beaver Crossing, Cold Lake Reserve
- also: St. Joseph's Residential School, St. Trinité Residential School, Blackfoot Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1900-1968
- Cluny, Blackfoot Crossing
- Roman Catholic operated, 1955-1964
- Faust, Driftpile Reserve
- also: St. Michael's Day School, Duck Lake Block
- Roman Catholic operated, 1894–1996
- Duck Lake, Saskatchewan
- United and Anglican operated, 1949-1990
- Eden Valley Reserve
- also: Hobbema, Ermineskin, Montana, Samson, and Louis Bull Day Schools
- Roman Catholic, United, and Baptist operated schools, 1894-1991
- Maskwacis and Ermineskin, Montana, Samson, Louis Bull Reserves
- also: Kootenay Residential School, Cranbrook Residential School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1890-1970
- Cranbrook, British Columbia
- also: Mackay Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1949-1969
- Fort McKay, near Fort McMurray
- also: St. Henry's Residential School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1900-1968
- Vermilion
- also: Fox Lake Little Flower Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1957-1964
- Fox Lake Reserve, Vermilion Agency
- also: Napayo Day School, Napewow
- Roman Catholic and Anglican operated schools, 1914-1985
- Frog Lake, Napayo
Schools, G-L
- also: Notre-Dame Residence, Inuvik, Samuel Hearne, and Aklavik - East 3 Day Schools
- Roman Catholic and Anglican operated schools, 1956-1997
- Inuvik, Northwest Territories
- also: All Saints Residential School, Aklavik School, Immaculate Conception School, Princess Alexandra Day School
- Anglican operated, 1895-1968
- Hay River, Aklavik, Northwest Territories
- also: Fort Chipewyan Residential School, Bishop Piché School, École des Saints-Anges
- Roman Catholic operated, 1874-1985
- Fort Chipewyan
- Roman Catholic operated, 1950-1963
- Janvier Reserve
- also: Wabasca (Wapuskaw), St. Martin's, and Desmarais Residential School
- Anglican and Roman Catholic operated schools, 1895-1973
- Bigstone Cree Nation Wabasca Reserve, Desmarais
- also: Dunbow Industrial School, High River Day School, Dunbow Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1884-1922
- High River
- also: Fort Resolution School, Rocher River Day School, Peter Pond Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1903 -1969
- Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories
- also: St. Louis Residential School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1890 -1978
- Kamloops, British Columbia
- also: Qu’Appelle, St. Paul’s, Whitecalf
- Roman Catholic operated, 1884 -1998
- Lebret, Saskatchewan
- also: Stuart Lake School, Fraser Lake School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1917 -1976
- Fraser Lake, British Columbia
- also: St. Bruno's Residential School, Lesser Slave Lake Residential School, St. Bernard's Residential School
- Roman Catholic and Anglican operated schools, 1895-1969
- Lesser Slave Lake
- also: Kehewin Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1916-1972
- Kehewin Reserve
- also: Lubicon Lake Mission, Little Buffalo Mission
- 1954-[19--]
- Little Buffalo
Schools, M-R
- also: Mission Residential School, Chehalis Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1867 -1984
- Fraser Valley, Mission, Harrison Mills, British Columbia
- also: Morley McDougall Residential School, Stony Residential School, David Bearspaw Day School
- Methodist (United) operated, 1880-1986
- Morley Reserve
- also: Touchwood Residential School, Muscowequan Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1889-1997
- Muscowequan Reserve, Lestock, Green Lake, Saskatchewan
- also: Sunchild Cree Day School, Henry Stelfox Day School
- Mennonite (United) operated, 1956-1973
- Rocky Mountain House, Sunchild Cree Reserve
- also: Chief Old Sun Residential School, White Eagle Day School, Gleichen Day School
- Anglican operated, 1886-1989
- Gleichen, Blackfoot Reserve
- also: St. Anthony's Residential School, Chief Taylor Day School, Onion lake Central Day School
- Roman Catholic, Anglican, and non-denominational schools, 1894–1981
- Seekaskootch Reserve, Onion Lake, Saskatchewan
- also: Red Deer Industrial School, Edmonton Industrial School
- Anglican and Methodist (United) operated, 1893-1960
- Red Deer, Edmonton
- also: St. Patrick Orphanage
- Anglican operated, 1894 -1997
- Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Schools, S-Z
- also: R.B. Steinhauer, Heart Lake, Beaver Lake, Goodfish Lake, and Pakan Day Schools
- Roman Catholic and Methodist (United) operated schools, 1881-1924, 1949-1981
- Pakan, Saddle Lake and Goodfish Lake Reserves
- also: Winterburn Day School, Enoch Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1948-1975
- Stony Plain Reserve, Enoch
- also: St. François Xavier Boarding School, Namew Day School
- Roman Catholic and Mennonite (United) operated schools, 1959-1970
- Calais
- also: Guy Hill School, Clearwater School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1926-1979
- Sturgeon landing, Saskatchewan and Clearwater, Manitoba
- also: St. Henri Residential School, Delmas School
- Roman Catholic operated schools, 1901-1948
- Delmas, Saskatchewan
- also: Ptarmigan Point and Trout Rock Seasonal School, Kateri Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1958-1959
- Trout Lake, Ptarmigan Point, NWT
- also: Meander River Day School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1950-1971
- Meander River
- also: St. Albert Residential School, Lac Ste. Anne Mission School
- Roman Catholic operated, 1863-1948
- St. Albert Mission, Mission Hill, Lac Ste. Anne Mission
We hold very few files from Day Schools and schools outside Alberta, but Library and Archives Canada is an excellent place to continue your research. To consult their online collections, visit their collection search page. You can learn more about how to search for Residential School records on their help page.
The above image depicts part of the Blackfoot winter count held in the Tom Many Guns family fonds (PR0185).