2016 Introduction to The Failure of the Red Deer Industrial School By Uta H. Fox, MA, CRM While attending ARMA Canada's 29th Conference in Saskatoon, SK, in 2013, I was privileged to listen to a session entitled '`The Cost and Complexity of Digitizing Records for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission." It was delivered by Martin McGarry, PMP and Terry Reilly who provided an excellent presentation on the challenges of gathering, preserving and making accessible the stories and experiences of those who had been impacted by the residential schools in Canada. Following ARMA Canada's conference in Saskatoon, I went to Red Deer, AB. I had been invited to attend the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Public Sharings, June 6 to 8th, hosted by the Remembering the Children Society. This society was formed by Red Deer's Sunnybrook United Church, First Nations and Métis peoples in 2005 after some church members discovered the'Red Deer Industrial School's cemetery existed, but was not cared for. The society's mission was'and continues to be to work to protect the Red Deer Industrial School's cemetery as a gesture of healing and reconciliation with Métis and First Nations peoples. Not only was I invited to attend the hearings, I was to be inducted by the Remembering Children Society's as a Honourary Witness for my master's thesis entitled "The Failure of the Red Deer Industrial School" completed in 1993 as a requirement for my Master of Arts degree from the University of Calgary. This thesis provided society members with information that they used to gather the descendants of former students of the Red Deer Industrial School who shared the history and legacy of this institution and inspired support in preserving the cemetery. Many of the Métis and First Nations peoples had been unaware of this institution and its impact on their history. The pamphlet Remembering the Children, June 6, 7, 8, 2013, Red Deer, Alberta"1 states: Remembering the Children, July 6, 7, 8, 2013 Red Deer, Alberta, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Accessed 2016 January 29. http://www.trc.ca/websitesnrcinstitution/File/pdfs/Remembering%20the%20Children%20June%206- 8%202013%20Full%20program.pdf Honourary witnesses are called upon to be the keepers of history when an event of historic significance occurs. Bearing witness to the thought provoking stories of residential school Survivors helps to validate the survivor experience. Honourary Witnesses are then asked to store and care for the history they have witnessed and most importantly, to share it with their own community when they return home. In 2013 I did not have an opportunity to make my thesis publically available and when I completed it in 1993, only a limited number of copies were printed. The university, of course, makes it available on microfilm or microfiche, but that is not always a convenient format for anyone wishing to access this information. Now, with the inaugural issue of RIM CANCON, an ARMA Canada publication, in 2016, I honour my obligation as an Honourary Witness and share the history of the Red Deer Industrial School. Interestingly, in the fall of 2015 it was announced that the history and impact of residential schools will become part of the curriculum in Canadian schools2. Industrial schools were the precursor to residential schools and their history must also be shared. I have been searching for a vehicle to impart this history which was made possible by past record keepers who kept and preserved the letters, directives, memos and other correspondence that so carefully documented this institution's rise and fall: the role of the Methodist Church and federal government, the teachers and other staff members, the work performed, the studies the students completed and the skills they acquired. Uta H. Fox, MA, CRM 2016 February 20 2 "Ca no d a's residential school story to be taught in classrooms this fall," CBS News, Edmonton, AB. http://www.cbc.canews/canadaedmontonicanada-s-residential-school-story-to-be-taught-in-classrooms-this- fall-1.3216399, accessed 2016 February 17. THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY The Failure of the Red Deer Industrial School By Uta Hildamarie Fox A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY CALGARY, ALBERTA SEPTEMBER, 1993 @ Uta Hildamarie Fox 1993 THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES The undersigned certify that they have read, and recommend to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for acceptance, a thesis entitled, "The Failure of the Red Deer Industrial School" submitted by Uta Hildamarie Fox in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. Dr. Donald B. Smith, Supervisor Department of History Dr. Sarah A. Carter, History - JjO Dr. an-Guy A. Gou1et, Anthropology eviz-rmArt,-. 74) 119 3 (Date) ABSTRACT Operating from 1893 to 1919, the Red Deer Industrial School, financed by the federal government and managed by the Methodist Church, became one of a number of institutions designed to inculcate selected Indian students into Euro- Canadian society. Both the government and the church were attempting to address the future of Amerindians especially as their traditional means of livelihood had ended and settlement on the prairies was beginning. Education became the principal means of acculturating and ensuring that the goals of Christianizing, civilizing, and "Canadianizing" would be realized. Yet the federal government never provided the Red Deer Industrial School with sufficient financial resources for the Methodist Church to implement the educational programme. Inadequate funding, directly responsible for the poor quality of staff, also ensured that education would be subordinate to the school's agricultural output. The parents, who were never consulted about the children's education opposed the school's programme and its location. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Since beginning this project I quickly realized that works of research and writing are not singular efforts. I have met so many wonderful, interested people who have provided assistance and encouragement that I can only hope that by mentioning their names here, I have in a small way repaid my debt for their generosity. First and foremost, Donald B. Smith, has provided not only suggestions, editing, and critiquing, but also a tremendous enthusiasm which has made this thesis fun. The efficiency of the staff of the United Church Archives in Toronto, the National Archives in Ottawa, and the Provincial Archives in Edmonton made my research much easier. As well, the University of Calgary's library and inter-library loan staff were most helpful. Lindsay Moir, Catherine Myhr, Doug Cass, and Pat Molesky at Glenbow Library and Archives are always proficient; and Michael Dawe, Archivist at the Red Deer and District Archives has been an invaluable source and guide. Ernie Nix has for the past two years helped collect material, and kindly granted me his time, research, and clipping file while I was at the United Church Archives in Toronto. Hart Cantelon generously shared his mother's stories with me, and former Red Deer student Francis Lightning, provided his reminiscences of not-so-long-ago. I have had numerous conversations with many people who share an interest in the Red Deer Industrial School. Brian Titley of the University of Lethbridge; Ian Getty, former iv Archivist of Nakoda Institute and Farley Wuth, the present Archivist there; Reverend Stephen Wilk, President of the Alberta and Northwest Conference Historical Society; Ken Tingley, Historic Consultant; and Mrs Ruth Milward, the daughter of Joseph F. Woodsworth, all furnished viewpoints and information-. A special thank. you to Ron Robertson, Shirlee Matheson, and Jason Fox of the Historical Society of Alberta. I am extremely indebted to William L. Kent of Langley, B.C., who provided me with copies of his mother's correspondence. Anne Michael, also from Langley, B.C., and a dear friend of Mrs Ruth Milward, supplied her memories of the Edmonton Residential School. The hospitable residents of Red Deer, Alberta have also shared their collective knowledge with me. Jamie MacKenzie, sent me papers he had written on the Red Deer Industrial School. Amy Von Heyking and her husband Daniel W. Clink permitted my access to the Daniel L. Clink family papers. Mr. & Mrs. G. Ninkovich provided the directions to the grave site, and Rex Armitage very kindly accompanied me to that site. I would also like to thank the University of Calgary, the Research Grants Committee, and in particular, the staff in the History Department: Olga Lewkiw, Barb Friessen, Marjorie McLeod, and Joyce Wood for their continual cheerful help. Most importantly, to my family, Jason, Shelley, Diana, and especially Brian; I could never have completed this thesis without your patience, support, and sense of humour. Thank you. CONTENTS Approval Page ii Abstract iii Acknowledgements iv-v Table of Contents vi List of Photographs vii List of Figures viii List of Abbreviations ix Introduction 1 Chapter 1 Background to the Establishment of The Red Deer Industrial School 7 Chapter 2 The First Years: Hope but no money, 1893-1895 29 Chapter 3 Aggressive Expansion, 1895-1907 57 Chapter 4 Reconciliation, but to no avail, 1907-1919 82 Conclusion 109 Bibliography 113 vi LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS 1.Red Deer Indian Industrial School and students. c. 1890s 38 2.Group of Indian pupils from Saddle Lake, Alberta, en route to Red Deer Industrial School 51 3. School, student residence, and staff house 61 4. Farm buildings, school, and grounds 64 5.Reserve School, 1908 87 6.Staff, 1908 89 7. Jonas Goodstoney, Stoney; Samson, Cree; Pakan or James Seenum, Cree, 1886 96 8.Students and Staff 99 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 22 viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS DIA Annual Report of the Department of Indian Affairs NAC National Archives of Canada PAA Provincial Archives of Alberta UCA United Church Archives ix 1 Introduction Today, at the old Red Deer River crossing on the Calgary- Edmonton Trail, the buildings of the institution have disappeared.1 The cemetery, overgrown by bush and trees, lies at the south end of a hay field.