Sub-series PR0003.002SF.0005.0001 - Schools sub-series

The sub-series relates to the creation and administration of various schools including Indian Residential Schools (IRS) and orphanages in the Oblate Province of Alberta-Saskatchewan area. The Indian Residential School (IRS) system was established and developed by the federal government in the 19th century, and was overseen by government officials and by various Christian churches and religious organizations throughout Canada. The major denominations were involved, including Anglican, United, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic churches, as well as the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and various religious communities of sisters. The government system was implemented to educate First Nations children, but in practice became one of systematic assimilation and cultural genocide. Residential schools would operate for more than one hundred years.

The Oblates operated 48 schools in Canada. As missions were established, so were boarding schools to evangelize and reach the communities. The goal was to give students a scholastic and religious education, and in some schools, an understanding of industrial or agricultural knowledge. The churches received a monetary grant from the government for each child at a school. The IRS employed Oblates as principals, administrators and teachers, and religious sisters worked at the school, as did lay staff as cooks, farmers, carpenters, blacksmiths and janitors.

The sub-series consists of records created or accumulated in the course of the administration and operation of Catholic residential and day schools, as well as various separate schools. The records contents and formats vary according to school, but can include correspondence, decisions of administration and operational records related to the running of the school, its students and staff, budgets and financial records of the school or associated farm, registers of academic progress, attendance registers, historical notes and employment and pay reports.

The subseries includes records for the following Schools:

Beauval Indian Residential School, Blue Quills Indian Residential School, Bonnyville Public School, Cold Lake Indian Day School, Cowessess Indian Residential School, Crowfoot Indian Residential School, Ermineskin Indian Residential School, Kamloops Indian Residential School, Keheewin School, Lejac School, Notre-Dame-de-Fatima School, Prince Albert orphanage, Sacred Heart Indian Residential School, St. Albert High School, St. Anthony’s Indian Residential School, St. Bruno’s Indian Residential School, St. Catherine School, St. Joseph’s Academy, St. Joseph’s Indian Residential School, St. Mary’s Indian Residential School, St. Michael’s Indian Residential School, Teslin Indian Residential School, and Thunderchild Indian Residential School.

The sub-series also includes records created or acquired related to the following institutions under the responsibility of the Catholic Church, but where Oblates were involved:

Alberta Catholic Schools Trustees' Association, l'Association canadienne des Éducateurs de langue française, Brosseau School Board No. 47 and No. 1614, Catholic Archdiocese School Board of Vancouver, Catholic Indian League, Cold Lake School Board No. 64, Department of Indian Affairs, Diocese of Calgary, Federal Government of Canada, Fédération canadienne française de la Colombie-britannique (FCFCB), Fort Kent School Board No. 46, Glenbow Museum, Grey Nuns, Oblate Indian and Eskimo Commission, St. Pascal of Nazareth Church, St. Patrice Orphanage, Trochu School District of Pontmain No. 20, and Two Hills School Division No. 21.

The sub-series also includes records from the following locations:

Beacon Hills, SK, Blood Reserve, AB, Bonnyville, AB, Brocket, AB, Brosseau, AB, Calgary, AB, Cardston, AB, Cluny AB, Cold Lake, AB, Delmas, SK, Duck Lake, SK, Dunbow, AB, Edmonton, AB, Fort Kent, AB, Fort Vermilion, AB, Grand Centre, AB, Gurneyville, AB, Hobbema [Maskwacis], AB, Joussard, AB, Kamloops, BC, Keewatin, NU, Lac-la-Biche, AB, Lac Vert, SK, Lebret, SK, Legal, AB, Le Goff, AB, Lejac, BC, Maillardville, BC, Marieval, SK, Onion Lake, SK, Pickardville, AB, Pincher Creek, AB, Prince Albert, AK, Saddle Lake, AB, St. Albert, AB, St. Edouard, AB, St. Paul, AB, Standoff, AB, Trochu, AB, and Vancouver, BC.