The Birtle Indian Residential School was opened by the Presbyterian Mission on December 3, 1888. Prior to that date, there had been a school allocated within the Birtle district for the Bird-Tail Sioux within Treaty 4. The new boarding school was located within the town limits of Birtle along the Bird-Tail River. The school was made of stone, was three stories high (not counting the basement), and was designed to accommodate fifty students. Connected to the school was thirty acres of land. The main building consisted of the school room, refectory, kitchen, and boys and girls dormitory. Besides the main school building, there was a barn that could accommodate fifteen head of cattle, a root-house and a small shed in which the parents would keep their ponies in the winter when they would come to visit the children. In the front of the residence there was a square piece of ground fenced off which consisted of a lawn and flower garden. The back of the residence was graveled for twenty yards. A garden of four acres was also connected with the school where vegetables were grown for use at the school.
Upon the opening of the school, there was considerable opposition on behalf of the parents as to the children being lodged and boarded such a substantial distance away from the greater Native population. This dissipated as the school gained acceptance within the Native community and attendance gradually increased as a result.
The headmaster at the original Bird-Tail school at the time of its assimilation into the Birtle Indian Residential School was J.D. Burgess. The first principle of the Birtle Indian Residential School was Rev. G.G. McLaren. He held the position from 1888 until November 1894, when he was replaced by Neil Gilmour. William J. Small became principle in 1896, and remained in that position until 1901.
The principal studies at the school were reading, writing, arithmetic, spelling and drawing. Although there were no trades associated with the school, the students were instructed in basic industries. The students also received moral training at the boarding schools. Girls were instructed in the branches of housework (washing, ironing, scrubbing , baking, cooking, sewing, knitting, tailoring, dressmaking, milking and butter-making). Boys were instructed in gardening, caring for stock, sawing, chopping and splitting wood, and were expected to help with the carpentry needs around the building. Special attention was also given to ethics and speaking English in class. There was also extensive religious training. Students were expected to attend church at least once each Sabbath in addition to their morning and evening worship and the study of the Bible and catechism in class.
During the summer the students participated in an abundance of outdoor exercise and recreation. The boys played a variety of sports, including baseball and soccer. The girls were allowed to go on long walks in the country or were given free time outdoors to take part in whatever they desired. Certain students exhibited a musical flare by playing instruments such as the madolin or the harmonica. One student, Hugh McKay, even worked part time at the local printing press during his tenure at the school. In the winter, students participated in ice-skating twice a week and the boys were allowed to play football for an hour a day. The girls could go on their walks and two or three times a week were taken for a drive a few miles into the country. There were two large playrooms within the main building for use during bad weather or when it was too cold outside for recreation during the winter.
Custodial History
Fonds was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1997. Prior custodial history is unknown.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of one attendance register from the Birtle Indian Residential School for the years 1888-1898. The total number of students within the register is 133. The attendance record covers the student's name, the date of their admission , their age, "full or half blood" Native status, tribe (ie. Sioux), band (ie. Bird-Tail Sioux), parents' names and father's rank, whether the parents were living or dead, parents' religion, places and periods of previous education and educational level of the student at the time of their registration. The average annual attendance at the school was forty-five students.
Students include (listed in the order in which they appear in the register): Elizabeth Benjamin; Arthur Johnston; Hagar Bunntec; Susan Hunter; Julia Eastman; Dayar David; Charlie Hanchia; Louis Eastman; Andrew Ben; Irad Bunn; Cilas Bohha; Ellen Benjamin; Carolyn Simpson; Joseph Charles; Esau Thunder; Odes Thunder; Maggie Ben; Angus Bone; Duncan Burgess; Nobaire Bone; Susan Gambler; Hugh McKay; George Bird; Mary Boyer; Alice Matheson; William Bone; Jeremiah Bone; Thomas Blackbird; Ellen Bone; Dwight Gambler; Joseph Ben; Smauel Benjamin; Charlie Cote; James Cote; Elizabeth Bone; Peter Ondie Burgess; Gilbert Walker; Frances Enoch; Isabel McKay; Norman Brandon; Jessie Brandon; Rosie Morrisau; Alex Tanner; Francis Tanner; Charlie Tanner; Jane Bone; Willis Boyer; Joseph Tanner; Gilbert Boyer; Mary Jane Tanner; Archy McDonald; Katie Brown; Bessie Brown; Tina Siaton; John Hunter; Nora Best; Lexy Smith; Nannie Jandrew; Eva Hunter; Anne Ben; Marisha Thunder; Ralph Kerr; Maggie Cook; Frank Sealton; Louis Chisholm; Lydia Nakaloo; Agnes Minnie; John Assinnewasis; Lizzie Sunguish; Hattie Sunguish; Jim Takakowewewe; Horace Takakowewewe; Nillie Yellowbird; Elizabeth Nakatoo; Alexander Brandon; Fred Brandon; Susan Blackbird; Jacob Blackbird; Harry Menlick Manshuse; Ellen McKay; George Hunter; Herbert Menlick Oliver; Flora Bird; Lucy Takakowewewe; Amos Hui Naste; Younge Singus; Susette Blackbird; Nellie Bunn; Daisy Bunn; Victoria Brandon; Janet Ashlakeesie; Mary Nubris; Bertha Hanshnu; Laura Bone; John Desparles; Okerta Desparles; Emma Assissipenace; Maggie Bearbull; Lucy Eosisamuswa; Robert Bluebird; Willie Seaton; Cahrlie Singoosh; Seclonia Mekis; Fanny Singoosh; Birtha McWeg?; Jen Eescanigah; Ethel Messegnot; Patrick Bone; Joseph Mekas; Magie Kalropunace; Augris Mekas; Sarah Wawapenace; Walter Longelaw; Eva ShaManilo Wigwam; Elsie Blackbird; Jen Ercock; Alesi Flett; Fred Longclaws; Marie Macheantie; Annie Clare; Flossie Longclaws; Andrew Pewapucolenu; David Bunn; Elizabeth Penapeccolimee; and Peter Rattlesnake.
Notes
Description by Cory Anderson (1999). A copy of his finding aid and the essay he wrote on the Birtle Indian Residential School are located in the Birtle Industrial School fonds file (Finding aid drawer in the McKee Reading Room). The Sioux people who attended the Birtle Indian Industrial School originated in Minnesota and came to Canada following the Minnesota Sioux War of 1862. The history of the Dakota people in the Canadian Northwest is described in "The Dakota of the Canadian Northwest: Lessons for Survival" by Peter Douglas Elias (1988).
Storage Location
1997 accessions
Storage Range
1997 accessions
Related Material
Archival records RG10 from the Dept. of Indian Affairs / [microform] Issued by the Public Archives of Canada, Reference E78. C2P81 provides a link to records held in Library and Archives Canada for which microfilm copies exist in the John E. Robbins Library. The administrative records of the Birtle Indian Residential School may be found in this collection.
Photograph shows the northeast corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. OK Used Cars - Western Motors Ltds - used car lot and a building containing The Specialty Shop and another business are pictured. The exposed wall of the Brown Block has been painted over.
Photograph shows the intersection of 10th Street and Princess Avenue looking northeast. A stationary policeman/divider is situated in the centre of the intersection. The lot on the corner appears to be for sale and a solid wooden fence has several advertisements, including for: Majestic Radio and a production by the Brandon Operatic Society at City Hall for "A Runaway Girl."
The Brown Block has a third storey lined with dormer windows. Advertisements for Heintzamn & Co. Pianos Piano Tuning, J.J.H. McLean & Co. Ltd, and The Strand Optical Co. are painted on the south side of the Brown Block. Also present is an advertising board for the Capitol Theatre. Signs for the Strand Theatre, Hollywood Cafe, and Campbell's Furniture are also visible.
Notes
Photograph date obtained from the presence of the Hollywood Cafe in the 1929 Henderson's Brandon City Directory and the performance by the Brandon Operatic Society.
Photograph shows the intersection of 10th Street and Princess Avenue facing northeast. A stationary policeman/divider is situated in the centre of the intersection. A street car is travelling south on 10th Street. Angled parking is on both sides of the street.
The lot on the northeast corner appears to be for sale and a solid wooden fence has several advertisements, including for: Majestic Radio, Imperial Gasoline (premier and ethyl), and a production a City Hall for "A Runaway Girl."
The Brown Block has a third storey lined with dormer windows. Advertisements for Heintzamn & Co. Pianos Piano Tuning, J.J.H. McLean & Co. Ltd, and The Strand Optical Co. are painted on the south side of the Brown Block. Also present is an advertising board for the Capitol Theatre on which is a poster for "Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City." Signs for the Strand Theatre, Hollywood Cafe, and Campbell's Furniture are also visible.
A sign for Plaza Shoes can be seen on the west side of 10th Street. The train station can be seen at the base of the hill.
Notes
Photograph date based on the Capitol's film "Cohens and Kellys in Atlantic City" that was advertised in the Brandon Daily Sun 03 December 1929
Photograph of 10th Street facing north from Princess Avenue. Vehicles are parallel parked on both sides of the street. The Welcome Brandon sign can be seen at the Rosser Avenue intersection.
Visible businesses on the west side of 10th Street include: Doig's, Box Brothers Hardware and Allied Hardware Stores in the Alexandra Block; followed by Simpsons-Sears in the Strathcona Block. Barry Neill Men's Wear, Kresge's and the Cecil Hotel are also visible. The Johnny Smith Block is visible in the background.
Visible businesses on the east side of 10th Street include: Ollies Steaks and Chops, Elna Sewing Centre, Carlton Cafe, Chop Suey. At the base of the hill the Canadian Pacific train station is visible at the base of the hill.
Notes
Writing on the front of the postcard reads: Tenth St. Brandon, Man.
Postcard shows an aerial view of 9th Street facing south in Brandon, Manitoba. Visible businesses and landmarks include: Beaubier Hotel, YMCA/police station, the original CKX Radio station towers on 8th Street (est. 1928 - moved 1940), the old City Hall, Prince Edward Hotel, and the original Manitoba Power commission smokestack on 10th Street.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph reads: Brandon, Man., Jerrett Photo. This photograph shows a rare view of the 800-block between Rosser and Princess Avenues.
Photograph shows the Red Indian (Gasoline) Station on the north side Princess Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets, Brandon. Attached to the west side of the gas station is another shop which contains Hutchings' Drug Store. The Alexandra Block on 10th Street is visible in the background.
Photograph shows the Greyhound Bus Depot at 11th Street and Princess Avenue. Western Motors, Wheelers Esso Station, and the Prince Edward Hotel are visible along the south side of Princess Avenue. Traffic is travelling one-way on Princess Avenue.
Photograph shows Western Motors Ltd. on the southwest corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. To the west of the car dealership/garage is the Greyhound Bus Station and its Maxwell House Cafe as well as the court house.
Photograph shows a sketch of the Hughes Building by architect W.H. Shillinglaw. The building, which was erected on the northwest corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue, had the potential to be four storeys high.
Photograph of the northeast corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue facing northeast. An Imperial Esso Dealer is situated on the southeast corner. On the northeast side the following businesses are visible: Thunderbird Bowl, Canadian Pacific Telegraphs, Pittsburgh Paint & Glass, The Strand Theatre, Trans Canada Credit Loans, Ted Heming Jewellers, Carlton Cafe, Barclay Shoe Store, Chamber of Commerce, United Cafe, and Chop Suey. An billboard for 2 Way drink is mounted on the former Campbell's Furniture Building. A sign for the Manitoba CAA Motor League hangs from a business on the southwest corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. Traffic on Princess Avenue, on the east side of 10th Street, is travelling one-way.
Photograph of the northeast corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue facing northeast. An Imperial Esso Dealer is situated on the southeast corner. On the northeast side the following businesses are visible: Thunderbird Bowl, Canadian Pacific Telegraphs, Pittsburgh Paint & Glass, The Strand Theatre, Trans Canada Credit Loans, Ted Heming Jewellers, Carlton Cafe, Barclay Shoe Store, Chamber of Commerce, United Cafe, and Chop Suey. An billboard for 2 Way drink is mounted on the former Campbell's Furniture Building. A sign for the Manitoba CAA Motor League hangs from a business on the southwest corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. Traffic on Princess Avenue, on the east side of 10th Street, is travelling one-way.
Photograph shows Western Motors Ltd. on the southwest corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue. Anglo gas station is part of the car shop, which sells GM, Chevrolet, and Oldsmobiles.
Hutchings' Drugs is on the ground floor of the Hughes Building on the northwest corner of 10th Street and Princess. Manufacturers Life occupies the second storey.
Photograph shows the north face of the Prince Edward Hotel on Princess Avenue. To the east of the hotel is Old City Hall with the military monument (which has since been relocated to the Brandon Armoury). On the west side of the hotel is Wheelers Esso Service Station.
Notes
The photograph appears to be taken from the Hughes Building on 10th Street.
Photograph shows the west side of the 200-block on 10th Street. Visible businesses include: Chamber of Commerce Tourist Information, Dominion Tire & Radio Co., Bonnie's Bonnet Shop, Steve's Grill, Wally's Taxi, and Western Motors Ltd. The painted advertisement for Doig, Rankin and Robertson is visible on the Alexandra Block. Christmas ornaments are displayed from light standards and include Santa Claus and a Christmas elf.
Photograph shows the west side of the 200-block on 10th Street. Visible businesses include: Chamber of Commerce Tourist Information, Dominion Tire & Radio Co., Steve's Grill, Wally's Taxi, and the garage entrances to Western Motors Ltd. A Santa Claus Christmas ornament is displayed from a light standard.
Photograph shows Princess Avenue facing east from 10th Street. On the north side of Princess Avenue, a B/A Service Station, Princess Cafe, Lindenberg Seeds, and the Central Fire Station are visible. Old City Hall with the war memorial and the Prince Edward Hotel are visible on the south side of Princess Avenue. Traffic is travelling one-way on Princess Avenue.
Photograph shows CNR train No.44 carrying loads of lumber. Engineers pose with the locomotive. Several men pose on the railway tracks. Snow and ice appear in the ditch.
Notes
Writing on the front of the photograph reads: The First of Several Trains of Lumber for HUGHES & CO., Via C.N.R., Brandon, Man. Photograph is stamped on the back: Huhges & Co. Ltd., 1009 Princess Ave., Brandon, Man.
Herbert (Bert) Goodland was born in Birkenhead, England in 1877 and moved to Canada with his parents James and Hannah in the late 1800's. James Goodland died in 1920 and is buried in Brandon, MB.
In 1900, Bert Goodland became Farm Manager at the Brandon Indian Residential School. He also taught Agriculture; a position he held until 1922. Goodland married Marjory Broughton in 1903, and they had one daughter, Dorothy, in 1908.
In 1922, the family moved to Alberta, where Goodland took on a similar job at an Indian Residential School near Edmonton. After his retirement in the 1940's, he and Marjory moved to Chilliwack, BC, where Marjory died in 1955. Herbert Goodland's last years were spent in Ontario and he died there in 1970.
Custodial History
Photographs were created/collected by Herbert Goodland during the period he taught at the Brandon Indian Residential School. The photographs passed from Goodland's wife Marjory to their daughter Dorothy and then to Dorothy's daughter Doreen Oke. Oke donated them to the McKee Archives in November 2011.
Scope and Content
Collection consists of 32 b/w photographs (some loose, some as part of album pages) of the Brandon Indian Residential School. Subjects include school grounds, buildings and students. There are also a few photographs of Brandon and one reproduced image of the Goodland family.
Notes
History/Bio provided by Doreen Oke. Description by Christy Henry.
Photograph shows the northeast corner of 10th Street and Princess Avenue facing east. In the background the following Brandon businesses can be seen: back of the Brandon Inn, B/A gas station, The Princess Cafe, and the Central Fire Hall.
Notes
Photograph dated from "Tara's Bulba," the movie playing at the Strand Theatre and similiar vehicles captured in the photograph.
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