Shingwauk Indian Residential School

Shingwauk Indian Residential School Site
Shingwauk Hall, now the central building of Algoma University.
Location	Sault Ste Marie, Ontario
Built	original building 1874, Shingwauk Home 1935
Architect	Roland Gurney Orr
Owner	Algoma University, Shingwauk Education Trust

Shingwauk Indian Residential School was part of the Canadian residential school system and one of the 130 boarding schools for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children that operated in Canada between 1874 and 1996. Operated by the Anglican Church of Canada and the Government of Canada, the Shingwauk School operated from 1873 to 1970 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Today, Shingwauk Hall, built in 1935, forms the central building of Algoma University.

Prior to the establishment of the Shingwauk School smaller school mission schools existed in Sault Ste. Marie. In 1833 William McMurray, an Anglican missionary arrived in Garden River First Nation. His arrival resulted in the establishment of a day school at the top of Pim Hill in Sault Ste. Marie. This day school was attended by children from Garden River First Nation and was funded by the government and the Anglican Church. A second day mission school was later established in the Garden River community in 1870.

In 1871, Anglican Missionary Reverend Edward Francis Wilson arrived in Garden River First Nation. He worked with the Anglican Church, government, and local First Nation community to raise money for a school. As a result of his fundraising efforts, the first Shingwauk Industrial Home opened on September 22, 1873 in Garden River First Nation. The school opened with sixteen boys enrolled as students. Six days after opening, the school was completely destroyed by fire.

Following the destruction of the School in Garden River, Rev. E.F. Wilson purchased a 90-acre site of land in Sault Ste. Marie, at what is now known as 1520 Queen Street East. On July 31, 1874 the Earl of Dufferin, Governor General of Canada visited the school site and laid the corner stone of what would become the Shingwauk Home. The new school officially opened on August 2, 1875 to 50 students. The school did not have running water or electricity. This building was replaced by the New Shingwauk Hall in 1935.