Back to Overview The late Elder Charlie Bigknife of Starbanket Reserve spoke on the half-time model at Indian Residential Schools: "I believe a lot of us today went to those boarding schools across , we could've been doctors, nurses or whatever. We could've made something of ourselves but we were denied these privileges." Callahan, A. B., 2002, On Our Way to Healing: Stories from the Oldest Living Generation of the File HIlls Indian Residential School. Masters Thesis. University of , p. 42.

The school building, constructed in 1910, as it looked in the 1940s. Mission to Partnership Collection, “File Hills Indian Residential "Melvina McNabb was 7 years old School, Balcarres, Sask.,” 93.049P1127 N, United Church of when she was enrolled in the File Hills The cairn at File Hills Residential School erected June 1939 Canada Archives - Digital Collections school, and [she says,] 'I couldn’t talk by the W.M.S. to commemorate 50 years of Christian service a word of English. I talked and I among the Indians at File Hills. Mission to Partnership was abused for that, hit, and made to Photograph Collection. 93.049P1136. (The cairn is all that Click to read more stories try to talk English.'" (Vol 1, Pt. 1, p. 623) remains on the site.) FILE HILLS INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

The File Hills Indian Residential School before an addition was constructed. In 1912, Suicide (1889 - 1949) was run by the Presbyterian there was a measles outbreak, and in 1916 In her memoirs, Eleanor Brass wrote about Church from its opening in 1889 until the another small pox outbreak. "a boy who had hung himself for fear of United Church of Canada took over in 1925. discipline" at the File Hills school in the early The school was located north of Balcarres In his 1922 publication (based on his 1907 20th century: “The poor youth was in some on the boundary of the Okanese reserve, report), Dr. Peter Henderson Bryce drew kind of trouble which was not so terrible but and adjacent to the File Hills Agency Indian particular attention to the fate of 31 students apparently it seemed that way to him.”7 "Brass reserves on 4 land . The school could who had been discharged from the File Hills recalled how the body of [the] boy was buried initially accommodate 25 children. By 1948 school: Nine were in good health, and 22 were on the Peepeekisis Reserve, even though his enrollment was up to 100 students, an dead. Dr. Bryce stated that at File Hills, “75 parents lived on the Carlyle Reserve."8 overcrowded situation. The plumbing was percent were dead at the end of the 16 years deemed unsanitary, and the building a fire since the school opened.” 4 Documents from the Canada Public Archives hazard. The school closed in 1949. Children show that, in October 1939, Kenneth close by attended day school, while other In 1926, 92% of the students at File Hills and Stonechild, a Deaf student, who repeatedly were sent to Brandon or Qu'Appelle tested positive for tuberculosis. By ran away, made a suicide attempt, claiming his residential schools.1 1933, after a health unit was set up to test for actions were due to staff treatment: a teacher TB, the percentage of students testing positive, had lost patience with him and had "boxed Deaths and Illness although still very high, had dropped to his ears." He was also incessantly teased File Hills school was plagued with illness. below 60%. "Given these results, Dr. R. George by older children. The doctor disputed the Two years after opening the school, in 1890, Ferguson, the director of medical services for claim that the student attempted to commit a report was filed that small pox had broken the Anti-Tuberculosis League suicide. Another student, Reginald Keewatin out.2 In 1908, Principal Kate Gillespie (who and medical director of the Fort Qu’Appelle also attempted suicide for the same reason in had formerly taught at Crowstand) reported Sanatorium, recommended that Indian Affairs November, 1939. For his punishment, he was the death of two girls due to tuberculosis and extend the unit’s work to the rest of the "well spanked in the presence of an RCMP believed the cause was the girls' dormitory ."5 Appropriate testing policies made it official." Both incidents were considered since the boys were generally healthy.3 possible to reduce the level of TB in residential behavioral problems in students who were Overcrowding meant some of the boys slept schools. Dr. Ferguson had led Saskatchewan believed to be trying to discredit staff. outside. In 1909, Principal Jennie Cunningham from the out-of-control TB epidemic in 1911, wrote letters of complaint that "for the past 2 to the lowest death rate from 1921 to 1940.6 Fire years, 10 boys have slept in a tent both winter Deficiencies in the fire escapes were reported and summer." It would take another 2 years in 1932. In 1942, two classroom buildings 1 http://thechildrenremembered.ca/school-locations/file-hill/#ftn18 were destroyed by fire. The fire had been 2 LeBeauf, M-E. (2011). The Role of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police During the Indian 4http://thechildrenremembered.ca/school-locations/file-hill/#ftn18 Residential Schools System, p. 383 5 Missing Children and Unmarked Burials, Vol. 4, p. 71 7 Missing Children and Unmarked Burials, Vol. 4, p. 3 3 http://thechildrenremembered.ca/school-locations/file-hill/#ftn18 6 http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/tuberculosis_control.html 8 Missing Children and Unmarked Burials, Vol. 4, p. 120

Page 56 Douglas Bear's illness and his parents' struggle to bring him home. The archived letters tell the story of a dying boy whose parents wanted to bring him home in December of 1912, but discharge was refused. After many attempts by the parents, Douglas Bear was finally returned home just three days before File Hills Indian Residential School Children, ca. 1948, United Church of his death. Canada/93.049P/1132N

Click here to read the letters. HILLS FILE AND OKANESE

Read about Eleanor Brass's experience at Read interviews with former students of File Hills in Debbie Hill, intergenerational survivor's File Hills (Author of I Ann Callahan's Master's Thesis, (pp. 38 - 121) experience Walk in Two Worlds) FILE HILLS INDIAN RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

deliberately set by three young boys, who I believe a lot of us today went to those that negligence has resulted in loss of life." were taken into custody. "The local Indian boarding schools across Canada, we could've He determined that the school was short of Agent, M. Christianson, felt that the boys had been doctors, nurses or whatever. We staff and the grant would not be paid until been acting on the instruction of older boys... could've made something of ourselves but there was sufficient staff at the school.13 (Read Five students were convicted for their role we were denied these privileges."12 documents) in setting the fire."9 One 12-year-old boy and two 15-year-olds served their sentences in the Student Death due to Negligence Beaten to Death Regina Industrial School (by then, a provincial On November 4, 1912 a report was made of a In a Globe and Mail interview conducted in reformatory); two 16-year-olds were "sad drowning accident" involving "three little 1990, Eleanor Brass said that her friend, Cora sentenced to a year in the Moosomin jail. At boys from 7 - 10 years of age." On November Keewatin, had "died after being beaten across the trial it was revealed that all the other boys 1, the children had been playing on the bank the back with a belt."14 (Read more of Eleanor at the school knew about the fire.10 of the lake and one of them, Archie Feather (7 Brass's story.) years old), had a hand sleigh and was running Inadequate Education on the thin ice quite close to shore, and he Poor Conditions lead to Closure In 1940, when a Mounted Police officer was pushed out on the ice by the other boys "A 1948 building inspection... reported that tracked down Wilfred Deiter, a student who and he went through the ice and the school's plumbing was in poor had run away from the school, "his father drowned. shape, the septic tank was said he did not want the boy to return to not functioning properly, school. According to the father, Wilfred 'gets The reported: "The the generator did not no class work, he is doing outside work, such parents of the child feel very keenly supply enough electricity to as hauling hay, cutting wood, and general about the matter and think there light the school adequately, labouring.' He felt that his son was 'receiving was gross carelessness on the part the boilers were old, the no better education than he would receive of those in charge of the school water supply was insufficient, at home.'”11 (Read Chief Ben Pasqua's similar in allowing children of this age and only two of the seven letter of complaint written in 1913) entrusted to their care to play toilets were functional. near a lake, especially when the The report concluded that Former student Charlie Bigknife from ice is just forming. The Principal the building should be Starblanket Reserve, who started attending tells me he warned the children demolished."15 The following the school in the fall of 1926, said, "I learned in the morning and again at year the school was closed. to work after I left boarding school because noon not to go on the ice." An Read the report regarding the in that school we went to school three hours Indian Affairs official responded: "To my drowning incident. a day so we didn't have much schooling. mind this is a case in which it is pretty clear 9 The History, Part 2: 1939 to 2000, Vol. 1, p. 323 12 Callahan, A. B. (2002). On our way to Healing: Stories from the Oldest Living Generation of 13 Indian Affairs RG 10, Vol. 6307, file 653-1, part 1 10 The History, Part 2: 1939 to 2000, Vol. 1, p. 323 the File Hills Indian Residential School (pp. 38 - 51). [Master's thesis]. University of Manitoba, 14 http://archives.algomau.ca/main/sites/default/files/2010-061_007_060_0.pdf 11 The History, Part 2: 1939 to 2000, Vol. 1. p. 135 Winnipeg, MB. 15 The History, Part 2: 1939 to 2000, Vol. 1, p. 178 Shattering the Silence: The Hidden History of Residential Schools in Saskatchewan Page 57 File Hills : A Failed Experiment

The construction of the colony on the Peepeekisis Reserve in southeastern Saskatchewan created one “of the most oppressive and distinct colonial landscapes in North America. Founded in 1898 by Indian agent William Morris Graham, the colony was established under what Ann Laura Stoler calls an “administrative anxiety” over the “regression” of ex-pupils back to traditional ways after completing residential school. The “re-socialisation” and “re-education” of Aboriginal children was not as quick or complete as the government had envisioned. Consequently, Graham, predominantly with the collaboration of Kate Gillespie at the File Hills boarding school and Father Joseph Hugonard at the Qu’Appelle industrial school, selected “certain” ex-pupils from various reserves to be settled on sub- divided land allotments on Peepeekisis and live like non-Aboriginal homestead farmers. ~C. Drew Bednasek, Remembering the File Hills Farm Colony

to assimilate and people accept in the way to which they enfranchise "Indians" become accustomed in boarding school. through Industrial He is the ‘crank’ that makes the machine schools was failing. start and go."3 Graduates were returning to their "In 1904, three young former File Hills reserves and to their students, Fred Dieter [Eleanor Brass's former cultures and father], John R. Thomas, and Ben Stone traditions. Graham’s Child, were reported to be farming solution was to successfully on the File Hills Colony."4 give graduates an However, these were not the first farmers opportunity for to be established. "Canadian government an occupation in documents indicate that within six months farming by allocating of taking the Indian agent job at the File farm land and Hills agency in 1897, Graham had already offering financial started transferring residential school Elders and Indian soldiers in the uniform of the Canadian Expeditionary Force 4th row (l-r): assistance (and ex-pupils to Peepeekisis. ... [In] a 1902 David Bird, Joe McKay, Joe Peters, Ed Sanderson. 3rd row (l-r): L. Harry Stonechild, Leonard thereby continuing Annual Report ... Indian Commissioner Creely, Jack Walker, Alex Brass, Ernest Goforth. 2nd row (l-r): Moostatik, Feather, William their "education"). wrote that Joseph McNabb and Morris Graham, Pimotat, Kee-wisk. 1st row (l-r): Jos McNab, Shavetail, Day Walker, Jack However, the George Little Pine had been farming under Fisher, ca. 1916-1917, Library and Archives Canada / PA-041366 government a colony scheme on Peepeekisis for some was unwilling three or four years."5 to relinquish its The File Hills Colony was established by the paternalism with regards to the First The colony did prosper for several years. local Indian Agent William Morris Graham Peoples, and set up the colony with In 1907, Graham, overwhelmed with what who viewed the colony as a solution to complete dependence on the Indian he considered the success of the colony, the “problem of regression” due to the Agent. Edward Ahenakew, "described wrote: "Although this colony has only been lack of opportunity after graduation from the File Hills Colony...as a tribute to its in existence six years, the results obtained Indian Residential Schools.1 "In January founder... but also a continuance of the have been phenomenal, to my mind. I 1898, Graham brought the first of many residential school model of telling First shall instance cases of young men leaving graduates of the industrial schools to the Nations what to do." Ahenakew’s fictional school seven years ago, at the age of 18, Peepeekisis reserve; this placement on elder, Old Keyam, puts the matter this who are to-day settled in comfortable reserve of a non-band member marked the way: "I’ve read about the colony at File homes, married and have children, who are beginning of the File Hills Colony Scheme Hills, made up of graduates from boarding brought up as white children are, not even whereby the most promising graduates school. They are said to be doing well. I knowing the Indian tongue."6 of the industrial schools would be moved

have boasted about them myself when / PA-019374 Surveys Canada / Library and Archives Technical Hills Reserve File of Mines Agency and Dept. Photo: , ca.1923, Canada. Background to this reserve."2 The government, at this I had nothing better to do. But they are time, was realizing that their strategy 3Ahenakew, E. (1973). Voices of the Plains Cree (Ed. Ruth Buck). Regina, SK: Canadian under the guidance of an official who has Plains Research Center, University of Regina, p. 90. 1Bednasek,C. D. (2009). Remembering the File Hills Farm Colony. Historical Geography, more authority than most, and he is an 4 The History, Part 1 Origins to 1939, Vol. 1,. p. 350. 37, 53-70 5 Bednasek,C. D. (2009). Remembering the File Hills Farm Colony. Historical Geography, 2 File Hills Colony: A Breach of Treaty, , and Canada's Fiduciary Responsibility. able man whose authority these young 37, (pp. 57-58) (2004, May)Landmark A Publication of the Indian Claims Commission 10(1) 6The History, Part 1 Origins to 1939, Vol. 1, p. 660

Page 58 into band membership. A 1954 commission failure to give up paternalistic control determined that while there was valid and its continued assimilation strategy. reason for original band members to Eleanor Brass wrote of rules against complain, the File Hills Colonists had lived women visiting with each other, and on the reserve for so long that it would against Indigenous cultural activities, such be unfair to remove them. Compensation as fiddle dances, pow-wows, and tribal was suggested by an advisory committee, ceremonies—although Brass does recall but this recommendation was not acted attending such ceremonies conducted in on by Indian Affairs. The Registrar for the secrecy. Bednasek's article, "Remembering File Hills band R-A6596 Sask Archives commission decided a hearing would the File Hills Farm Colony" tells the stories be held into the transfers of protested of Peepeekisis community members' The government began to encourage members. The register decided that 23 of suspicions about Graham's personal other schools to set up similar for 25 protested members should be included wealth coming from the labour and grain their graduates. In 1909, Deputy Minister in the Peepeekisis Band. The decision was production of the colony. The stories also Frank Pedley instructed Indian agents quickly appealed. Judge J. H. McFadden tell of Graham's abuse of power and his use “wherever possible to give some assistance reviewed the Registrar's decision and of brutality to manage the colony, using the to discharged pupils to enable them in 1956 confirmed 23 of the protested pass/permit system not only as a means to to immediately put to practical use the memberships and reinstated the other two. control, but also as a "calculated strategy instructions which they have received. You In 1978, the of Saskatchewan to steal band members' money" (p. 61). should therefore give special attention to Indians obtained a copy of the Judge Further, the allotted 80 acres of land was pupils whose term of residence is nearly McFadden's decision and in 1986, the too small to become prosperous; this was completed and consider each individual Peepeekisis Band submitted a specific claim done intentionally to keep the File Hills case according to its needs.”7 to the Department of Indian Affairs, stating Colony farmers from competing with settler that the Department had caused the farmers. By 1915, over 30 families were farming diminishment and alienation of the Reserve in the File Hills Colony. Interestingly, lands and the pauperization of the original "although the colonists were selected band members due to negligent and because they had done well at residential improver administration of the land. school, they did not wish to see their own In April 2001, the Peepeekisis First children attend residential school. They Nation requested an inquiry into its claim and the Commission accepted managed to win government support for 10 the establishment of a non-religious day the request. school on the colony, but objection from Qu’Appelle principal Joseph Hugonard led "On May 28, 2004, the Indian Claims to the federal government’s abandoning Commission (ICC) released its report the initiative."8 on the Peepeekisis First Nation’s File Hills Colony claim inquiry, which While the official story was that File Hills found that Canada had breached its lawful obligation to the First Nation. Colony was a model for other schools, "The Old Generation" of File Hills Reserve Agency; ca. 1914; (l-r) The Commission recommended and a "Canadian colonial showpiece that back row: Mrs. Keewaydin; Mrs. Jack Fisher; Mrs. Miss-ta-tik; that the Peepeekisis claim be Royalty and U.S. government officials Mrs. Buffalo Bow; Day Walker; Mrs. Yellow Belly; Mrs. Pimotatt; accepted for negotiation under visited to witness Canada's 'successful' and Mrs. Playful Child (Tuckanow). (l-r) front row: Chief Hawke; Canada’s Specific Claims Policy. The management of Aboriginal peoples,"9 the Crooked Nose; Chief Star Blanket; Pointed Cap (Cheepoostatin); federal Crown created the File Hills colony was in fact controversial. First, it Buffalo Bow; Miss-ta-tik; and Kuinness (Cree). Province of Colony Scheme on the Peepeekisis was set up on Peepeekisis Reserve lands. Saskatchewan Archives/ RB1854 Colonists, graduates from industrial school First Nation’s (IR) who were from other reserves, were 81. Under this plan, young Indian relocating, taking land from original band men from other bands who had members. In 1902, 12 square miles were graduated from industrial schools subdivided for new graduates. In 1906, a were brought to the Peepeekisis second of 120 lots of 80 acres reserve to live and farm. The and 12 lots of 130 acres were portioned Peepeekisis First Nation alleged that off for the colony, leaving less than 8,000 as enrollment in the farming colony acres for the original band members, increased, the original members of who were now a minority on their own the First Nation were displaced from Video Resource: To Colonize a People: The File Hills Indian Farm Colony their homes and deprived of the use Reserve. Between 1945 and 1956 there 11 were ongoing complaints by original band of the communal lands." members and at least four investigations Another issue was the government's 10File Hills Colony: A Breach of Treaty, Indian Act, and Canada's Fiduciary Responsibility. 7 The History, Part 1 Origins to 1939, Vol. 1, p. 659 (2004, May)Landmark A Publication of the Indian Claims Commission 10(1) 8 The History, Part 1 Origins to 1939, Vol. 1, p. 660 11 File Hills Colony: A Breach of Treaty, Indian Act, and Canada's Fiduciary Responsibility. 9 Bednasek, C. D. (2009). Remembering the File Hills Farm Colony. Historical Geography Landmark: A Publication of the Indian Claims Commission, 10(1), May 2004 37, 53-70

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