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Continued Gratifying Progress in Academic and Vocational Train ing—New Schools Being Erected Ottawa, Canada—The contin ued growing interest of Canadian Indians in education is a matter of gratification to the Department of Indian Affairs, stated Honor able Thomas G. Murphy, minister of the interior and superintendent general of Indian affairs, when in terviewed recently on the progress of the Dominion’s wards. Canada’s treatment of her aboriginal habitants redounds to the credit of the administration and the re sponse of the Indians to the De partment's efforts to advance them , a position of independence and self-support has been a major fac tor in the success of the work. In nearly every year since the auguration of day and residen tial schools among the Indians in creases have been recorded both in the number of pupils enrolled and in the percentage of attend ance. Ten years ago, in the school term of 1923-2., the total enrol ment was 13,872 and the average attendance, 9,188. Last year the enrolment had risen to 17,448, rain of 25.77 per cnt, while the average attendance had advanced $ 13,352, an increase of over 45 per cent. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1934, there were 256 lay schools, 79 residential schools, and 10 combined White and In dian schools in operation, a total of 345. The residential schools are conducted by the Anglican, Ro man Catholic, Presbyterian, and United Churches, and high tri bute must be paid to the zeal and self-sacrifice of those engaged in the work. The department has had the close co-operation of these re igious denominations in the edu cation of the Indians, and this well established policy has demonstrat ed beyond all question of doubt the effectiveness of the system. Two new Indian residential schools and an extension to an ex isting school are in course of erection this year. At Sault St. Marie, Ontario, the new Shing wauk school is under construct ion to replace present old build ings. This structure, which will ac commodate 150 children, will be m modern in every respect and fire proof. It is expected it will be ready for occupation by July 1. The school will as in the past be conducted by the Church of Eng land in Canada At Lebret. In the Qu’Appelle valley, Saskatchewan, a building sufficiently large to accommodate 250 children is in course of erect ion to replace that destroyed by fire in November, 1932. It will be of re-enforced concrete construct ion and will be ready for occupat ion about next autumn. The school will continue to be con tered by the Roman Catholic Church. To provide increased accommo ation, an addition is being made in the Residential School, near Morley, Alberta. This building is frame construction and when the addition is completed the school will accommodate 100 pupils. This school is conducted by the United Church of Canada ,and is for the benefit of the child ren of the Stony tribe. In these schools, as in the other Indian day and residential schools, the provincial curricula is followed, with special emphas is on language, reading, domestic science, manual training, and ag riculture. For the older pupils, half the day is spent in the class room, and the remainder of the time is devoted to vocational training. There are farm lands in connection with each residential school and a member of the staff is a competent farmer. Under his ruidance, the older boys carry out the farming operations and by this means they acquire a pmctical knowledge of farming and animal husbandry The girls receive training in sewing, making, cooking, bread-making, and other household duties Locmvery possible effort is made to impart a sound academic and industrial creation and speeial ‘attention is given to the health of the pupils. During the ream snent in the residential school sections and dental treatment is provided which with a balanced diet and supervised recreation,
Newspaper Details
Gladstone Age Press
Gladstone, Manitoba, CA
Thu, May 30, 1935
Page 4
Full Page
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Maysin B.
CA 05 Dec 2025
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