Lac La Biche Mission facts for kids

The Lac La Biche Mission is a special historical place in Alberta, Canada. It's located right by Lac la Biche lake. This mission was started a long time ago, in 1853, by a group of missionaries called the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. They moved it to its current spot by the lake in 1855.

What is the Lac La Biche Mission?

The mission helped teach First Nations people living nearby many useful skills. They learned about farming, building boats, and how to use a sawmill. These were important skills from before big factories existed.

Today, you can visit the site and see several old buildings and interesting displays. You can even take a guided tour! The Lac La Biche Mission is recognized as an important historical place by both the province of Alberta and the whole country of Canada.

The Old Convent Building

The convent building was built in 1894. It is the oldest building you can see at the Lac La Biche Mission. Workers used wood cut right at the Mission's own sawmill to build it.

This building was used for many things. It was a school, a small church (chapel), and a place for people who needed care (hospice). It was also where the nuns, orphans, and other students lived.

Today, the convent has several cool displays. One is the Métis Room, which shares the history of the Métis people. Part of the original wall in the Priests Dining Room still has paint made from natural materials like algae. There's also an Archaeology Display. This room shows items found after a fire in 2009 and things pulled from the lake during special digs. You can also see many old photos of students who went to school there.

Learning at the Mission School

Students went to the Lac La Biche Mission school off and on between 1856 and 1864. In 1862, a group of nuns called the Sisters of Charity (Grey Nuns) arrived. They started teaching First Nations children in the convent building.

Later, in 1905, another group of nuns called Les Filles de Jésus (Daughters of Jesus) came to the Mission. They set up a school for local children and for students who lived at the Mission. The Oblates wanted all children to learn together, so there was no separation based on race.

The Mission school taught many subjects. Students learned mathematics, reading, religious studies, French, and English. They also learned drawing, farming skills (husbandry), and household skills. The sisters taught in the convent until 1961. After that, a separate schoolhouse was brought to the site. This schoolhouse was used until 1963.