Editor’s Note: This story was originally published on Sept. 30, 2022.
WARNING: This story contains information that may be upsetting to some readers. The national residential schools crisis line (1-866-925-4419) is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of a residential school experience.
For a period of more than 150 years, First Nations, Inuit and Métis children were taken from their families and communities to attend schools often located far from their homes, states the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) at the University of Manitoba.
“More than 150,000 children attended Indian Residential Schools. Many never returned,” the NCTR said on its website.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) concluded residential schools were “a systematic, government-sponsored attempt to destroy Aboriginal cultures and languages and to assimilate Aboriginal peoples so that they no longer existed as distinct peoples.”
The TRC characterized this intent as “cultural genocide.”
The NCTR lists 18 residential schools in Ontario recognized in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement.
These were their names and locations:
BISHOP HORDEN HALL (MOOSE FACTORY) — Moose Island
Years open: 1906 to 1976
Religious entity: Anglican
CECILIA JEFFREY (SHOAL LAKE) — Kenora
Years open: 1902 to 1976
Religious entity: Presbyterian
CHAPLEAU (ST. JOHN’S) — Chapleau
Years open: 1907 to 1948
Religious entity: Anglican
CRISTAL LAKE HIGH SCHOOL — Cristal Lake
Years open: 1976 to 1986
Religious entity: Mennonite
FORT FRANCES (COUCHICHING) — Fort Frances
Years open: 1906 to 1974
Religious entity: Catholic
FORT WILLIAM (ST. JOSEPH’S) — Fort William
Years open: 1885 to 1970
Religious entity: Catholic
MCINTOSH (KENORA) — McIntosh
Years open: 1925 to 1969
Religious entity: Catholic
MOHAWK INSTITUTE (MECHANIC’S INSTITUTE) — Brantford
Years open: 1885 to 1970
Religious entity: Anglican
MOUNT ELGIN (MUNCEY) — Munceytown
Years open: 1867 -1946
Religious entity: Methodist United Church
PELICAN LAKE (PELICAN FALLS) — Sioux Lookout
Years open: 1927 to 1978
Religious entity: Anglican
POPLAR HILL — Poplar Hill
Years open: 1962 to 1989
Religious entity: Mennonite
SHINGWAUK (WAWANOSH) — Sault Ste. Marie
Years open: 1878 -1970
Religious entity: Anglican
SPANISH BOYS SCHOOL (ST. PETER CLAVER) — Spanish
Years open: 1879 to 1958
Religious entity: Catholic
SPANISH GIRLS SCHOOL (ST. ANNE’S) — Spanish
Years open: 1868 to 1962
Religious entity: Catholic
ST. ANNE’S (FORT ALBANY) — Fort Albany
Years open: 1906 to1976
Religious entity: Catholic
ST. MARY’S (ST. ANTHONY’S) — Kenora
Years open: 1897 to 1972
Religious entity: Catholic
STIRLAND LAKE HIGH SCHOOL (WAHBON BAY ACADEMY) — Stirland Lake
Years open: 1971 to 1991
Religious entity: Mennonite
WAWANOSH HOME — Sault Ste. Marie
Years open: 1879 to 1892
Religious entity: Anglican
For more information about residential schools, visit the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation website.
