Lac La Biche Mission facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lac La Biche Mission |
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| Native name Notre Dame des Victoires / Lac La Biche Mission | |
| Location | Lac la Biche, Alberta, Canada |
The Lac La Biche Mission (also known as Notre Dame des Victoires / Lac La Biche Mission) is an important historic place found near Lac la Biche in Alberta, Canada.
This mission was started in 1853 by Oblate missionaries. It was first in the town of Lac La Biche, Alberta, but then moved to its spot by the lake in 1855.
The mission taught new skills to the First Nations people living there. These skills included farming, building boats, and sawing wood. Today, you can visit several old buildings and see interesting displays. You can even take a guided tour! The Lac La Biche Mission is recognized as both a Provincial Historic Site (in Alberta) and a National Historic Site.
Exploring the Old Convent
Built in 1894, the convent is the oldest building at the Lac La Biche Mission. It was made from wood cut right at the Mission's own sawmill.
The convent was a very busy place! It was used as a school, a small church (chapel), and a place for people who needed care (hospice). It was also home to the nuns, orphans, and other students. Today, the convent has several displays you can explore. One special area is the Métis Room. Part of the original wall in the Priests Dining Room still shows paint made from algae and calcimine.
You can also find the Archaeology Display in a room that used to be part of the kitchen. This display shows items found after a fire in 2009, as well as things pulled from the lake during special digs. There's also a large collection of photos of students who attended the school here.
Learning at the Mission School
Students attended the Lac La Biche Mission school off and on between 1856 and 1864. In 1862, the Sisters of Charity (also known as Grey Nuns) arrived. They started teaching First Nations children in the convent.
Later, in 1905, a group 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 (boarding students). 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, English, and drawing. They also learned practical skills like farming (husbandry) and household tasks. The sisters taught in the convent until 1961. After that, a separate schoolhouse was brought to the site. This schoolhouse continued to operate until 1963.
