St. John's Indian Residential School facts for kids

Quick facts for kids St. John's Indian Residential School
St. John's Indian Residential School building, circa 1920-1930
Location
Chapleau, Ontario
Information
Other name	Chapleau Indian Residential School
School type	residential school
Religious affiliation(s)	Anglican Church of Canada
Established	1907
Closed	1948

The St. John's Indian Residential School, also known as the Chapleau Indian Residential School, was a special type of boarding school in Canada. It was run by the Anglican Church of Canada from 1907 to 1948 in Chapleau, Ontario.

School History

The first residential school in Chapleau was managed by the Anglican Diocese of Moosonee from 1907 to 1920. In 1920, the Canadian government's Department of Indian Affairs took over running the school.

This first school building was built for 40 students. By 1919, it was made a bit bigger for 45 students. It was located on 153 acres of land near the Nebskwashi River. Sadly, this first school building burned down on June 27, 1926. The land where it stood is now part of the forest.

By 1912, people decided the first building was too small. A new, larger piece of land (1,184 acres) was bought in 1914. However, this land was far from Chapleau town and hard to get to. So, in 1920, a different, closer piece of land (2,142 acres) was bought.

A new two-story school building was built on the 1,184-acre site. It cost $89,000 and could hold 100 students. This new school was close to Chapleau, next to a lumber mill and a power plant.

The school was full of students until it closed on July 1, 1948. Many students then moved to other residential schools, like the Shingwauk Indian Residential School. After it closed, the school property was sold. All the school buildings were later torn down. Now, the area is a small neighborhood with homes.

School Cemetery

For many years, the cemetery connected to St. John's School had no markers. The Chapleau Cree First Nation has since worked to put a fence around it. They also added a special plaque. This plaque lists the names of 28 people known to have passed away at the school.

This cemetery is on the land of the second school building. Only students who attended that school are buried there. The graves of children who passed away at the first school are still a mystery. They are likely on the land where the first school stood.

As part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's project, experts found 42 grave sites. These were in the cemetery linked to the newer school building (1920-1948). The names of the students known to have passed away are listed in a special national register.

Student Life

Students worked on the Chapleau Residential School farm around 1930.

Students at St. John's School came from many different First Nations communities. These included New Brunswick House, Chapleau Cree, Missanabie Cree First Nation, Fort Albany, Fort Frances, Six Nations, and Nipigon.

Like at other residential schools in Canada, students at St. John's were not allowed to speak their traditional Indigenous languages. They also faced very strict rules. Students attended school for half of the day.

From April to June 1908, seven out of 31 students became very sick and passed away at the school.

In 1921, many parents had concerns about the school's principal, Rev. Prewer. They were worried about how students were being treated. More than 150 people traveled to Chapleau to share their complaints. After parents shared their stories, the principal was removed within a year.

School Principals

Here are the people who were in charge of the St. John's Indian Residential School:

• From July 1925 to May 1927, Rev. Gibson was still officially the Principal. However, because he was ill, Vice-Principal G.T. Snowden was put in charge of the school.