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1884-1958: Mohawk Institute Residential School

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1884-1958: Mohawk Institute Residential School

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Often called the 'Mush Hole' by students due to the poor quality food, the Mohawk Institute was one of Canada's oldest and longest-running residential schools. Originally established as the 'Mechanics' Institute' in 1828, it became a residential school in 1834. By 1900, it had been rebuilt and expanded. Children from Six Nations and other First Nations communities across Ontario were sent here, often against their families' wishes. Students were forbidden from speaking their languages and practicing their cultural traditions. Many survivors have shared stories of inadequate food, harsh discipline, and various forms of abuse. Today, the building houses the Woodland Cultural Centre, which includes a museum dedicated to preserving and promoting Indigenous culture and heritage.

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Operated by the Anglican Church, the Chapleau Residential School was built to house Indigenous children from northern Ontario communities. In 1902, the school was newly constructed and began taking in students from Ojibwe, Cree, and Ojicree families. Children were typically only allowed to return home during summer months, if at all. The curriculum focused heavily on religious instruction, basic academics, and manual labor, with boys learning farming and trades while girls were taught domestic skills. Many students experienced cultural loss, as speaking Indigenous languages was punished. The isolated location meant children were far from their families, making visits nearly impossible. The building was demolished after its closure in 1969, but the impacts continue to affect survivors and their descendants today.

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St. Joseph's Residential School, Spanish

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1897-1968: St. Joseph's Residential School (Spanish Boys' School)

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1897-1968: St. Joseph's Residential School (Spanish Boys' School)

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Located on the north shore of Lake Huron, St. Joseph's (also known as Spanish Boys' School) was operated by the Jesuit Order of the Roman Catholic Church. By 1900, it had become one of the largest residential schools in Ontario. Boys from Anishinaabe, Cree, and other First Nations communities across the province were sent here. The school enforced strict discipline and followed a half-day system where students spent half the day in academic classes and half in vocational training. Students were required to work in the fields, workshops, and kitchens. Former students have reported widespread physical abuse and harsh punishments for speaking Indigenous languages. The school building was destroyed by fire in 1958 but was rebuilt and continued operating until 1958. A memorial now stands at the site to honor those who attended.

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St. Peter Claver's Residential School, Spanish

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1897-1958: St. Peter Claver's Residential School (Spanish Girls' School)

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1897-1958: St. Peter Claver's Residential School (Spanish Girls' School)

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Located near the boys' school in Spanish, St. Peter Claver's was run by the Daughters of the Heart of Mary for Indigenous girls. Around 1900, the school housed girls from various First Nations communities across northern Ontario. Girls received basic education but spent much of their time learning domestic skills like cooking, cleaning, and sewing, which reflected the government's goal of preparing Indigenous people for roles in Euro-Canadian society rather than leadership in their own communities. Former students have spoken about homesickness, harsh discipline, and the loss of cultural identity. The girls had very limited contact with their brothers at the nearby boys' school, even when siblings were sent to Spanish at the same time. The building was demolished after its closure, but the site remains significant for survivors and their communities.

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Shingwauk Residential School, Sault Ste. Marie

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Originally envisioned by Chief Shingwaukonse (Little Pine) as a 'teaching wigwam' where Indigenous children could learn European skills while maintaining their culture, the government and Anglican Church instead created a typical residential school focused on assimilation. By 1900, the school had been operating for over 30 years in Sault Ste. Marie. Students came primarily from Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi communities around the Great Lakes. Like other residential schools, children were forbidden from speaking their languages or practicing cultural traditions. Many students experienced inadequate food, harsh punishments, and separation from family. Today, the building houses Algoma University and the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, which preserves the history of residential schools and promotes cross-cultural learning and healing.

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Mount Elgin Industrial Institute, Muncey

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1894-1962: Mount Elgin Industrial Institute

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1894-1962: Mount Elgin Industrial Institute

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Located on the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation near London, Mount Elgin Industrial Institute was operated by the Methodist Church (later the United Church). By 1900, the school had been operating for several years and housed Indigenous children from communities across southwestern Ontario. Students followed the half-day system, with half the day spent on academic subjects and half on industrial or agricultural work. Boys learned farming and trades while girls focused on domestic skills. The school farm was extensive, with student labor providing much of the workforce. Former students have described poor living conditions, inadequate food, and harsh discipline for speaking Indigenous languages. Many children attempted to run away despite the risk of severe punishment. The building was demolished after closure, but a commemorative plaque marks the site today.

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Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School, Kenora

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1906-1979: Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School

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1906-1979: Cecilia Jeffrey Residential School

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Initially located on Shoal Lake, on the border between Ontario and Manitoba, Cecilia Jeffrey was moved to Kenora in 1929. In the early 1900s, the school was operated by the Presbyterian Church and later by the United Church of Canada. Students came primarily from Ojibwe communities in northwestern Ontario. The school became infamous decades later when 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack died in 1966 after running away, trying to return home 600 km away. His story, later immortalized by Gord Downie's 'Secret Path' project, highlighted the desperation many children felt at residential schools. In the early 1900s, students at Cecilia Jeffrey faced many of the same hardships as those at other schools: separation from family, prohibition of Indigenous languages, inadequate food and healthcare, and various forms of abuse. The site now houses a treatment center for Indigenous youth.

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St. Anthony's Residential School, Onigaming

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1902-1972: St. Anthony's Residential School

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1902-1972: St. Anthony's Residential School

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Located in Onigaming First Nation (formerly Sabaskong Bay), St. Anthony's Residential School opened in 1902 and was operated by the Roman Catholic Church. The school housed children from Anishinaabe communities around northwestern Ontario. By separating children from their families and communities, the school aimed to disrupt the transmission of Indigenous culture, language, and spiritual practices. Many students have recalled experiences of loneliness, cultural loss, and various forms of mistreatment. Children were punished for speaking Anishinaabemowin and often received inadequate food and medical care. The school was relatively isolated, making family visits extremely difficult and increasing the sense of separation children felt from their homes. Though the building no longer stands, the impacts of St. Anthony's continue to affect former students and their communities today.