Mount Elgin Indian Residential School facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Elgin Indian Residential School |
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Mount Elgin Residential School (1910)
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Muncey, Ontario
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| Religious affiliation(s) | Methodist, United Church of Canada |
| Established | 1851 |
| Closed | 30 June 1946 |
| Principal | see § Principals |
The Mount Elgin Indian Residential School, also known as the Muncey Institute, was a Canadian Indian Residential School. It operated from 1851 to 1946. It also reopened for a short time after 1967 in Muncey, Ontario.
History of Mount Elgin School
The Mount Elgin School was started in 1847. It was built on land that now belongs to the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation. The school building's first stone was placed on July 17, 1849. It opened its doors to students in 1851.
The school was run by the Wesleyan Methodist Society. The Canadian government's Department of Indian Affairs also helped manage it. When the school first opened, it was on 200 acres of land. This land was given by the Chippewas of the Thames for the school's use.
At first, 13 students lived at the school, and many more came for the day. By 1911, there were 102 students living there. From the 1930s onwards, about 1950 students attended each year. These students came from over 18 different Indigenous communities in Ontario and Quebec.
In 1925, the United Church of Canada took over running the school. Mount Elgin was the only residential school in Ontario run by the United Church. Over the years, many parts were added to the school buildings. In 1942, a government check found the buildings were in bad shape. By 1944, the school had a main building, classrooms, a laundry, and a workshop. It also had many barns and farm buildings.
The school closed on June 30, 1946. However, it was opened again briefly in 1967. In 2012, the only building left from Mount Elgin was an old barn. Students had carved their names into the wood of this barn while working on the school farm.
Student Life at Mount Elgin
Life for students at Mount Elgin Residential School was similar to what Indigenous children faced at other residential schools in Canada. Students have shared stories about not getting proper medical care. There were times when students tried to damage the school buildings.
Students also talked about the poor quality of food. They often did not get enough meat, even though the school farm had many animals. Students had to work very hard on the school's farm. Many students also experienced unfair and difficult treatment while at the school.
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation keeps a list of students who died at residential schools. This list includes five students known to have died at Mount Elgin. Their names are Courtland Claud, Evangeline Jackson, Helen May Seneca, McGahey, and Simon Altman.
Remembering Mount Elgin
In the early 2000s, survivors from Chippewas of the Thames who went to Mount Elgin made a video. It was called "Our Healing Journey." This video shared their experiences at the school. It was part of early efforts by the community to heal.
In June 2012, the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation placed a special marker at the school's original site. This marker has seven pillars. These pillars stand for the seven grandfather teachings. The marker also has the names of students who attended the school. About 1,000 people came to see the monument when it was unveiled.
