Spanish Indian Residential Schools

The Spanish Indian Residential Schools were part of the Canadian residential school system and one of the 130 schools for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children that operated in Canada between 1874 and 1996. Operated by the Jesuits of English Canada, the Daughters of the Heart of Mary and the Government of Canada the residential schools operated in Spanish, Ontario from 1913 to 1965.

In 1913 the girls school at Wikwemikong burned down. At the same time a decision was made to move the boys school to Spanish, Ontario as it was believed that there would be increased access to the school in Spanish given its location near the railroad. The fire at the girls school resulted in the relocation of both schools in Spanish in 1913.

The St. Peter Claver School for Boys in Spanish, Ontario was the only residential school in Canada operated by the Jesuit order. The school consisted of a large three story stone building. The school also had out buildings including a barn, stable, machine sheds, saw mill, and storage buildings. The school was located on a 600-acre site on the North Shore of Lake Huron.

The school housed 180 boys. Combined with the girls school the Spanish schools were the largest residential school in Ontario.

Following the relocation of the St. Joseph's School For Girls to Spanish the school continued to be operated by the Daughters of the Heart of Mary. The school was located on 400 acres of land next to the St. Peter Claver School. The St. Joseph school was the only residential school operated by the Daughters order. At the time of the boys school transferred to Spanish, Ontario the girls school was not completed. The actual opening date of the new school was circa 1914. The Spanish Indian Residential School for Girls, also known as St. Joseph closed on June 30, 1962.

In 1981 the Girls School building was ravaged by fire. However the shell of this building still stands in Spanish, Ontario.

The Garnier High School established in 1947 was operated out of the boys school. The school was commonly referred to as Garnier College. The name Garnier was chosen in honour of one of the Canadian Martyrs. For administrative purposes the schools were considered one and operated under the name Spanish Indian Residential School. The Spanish schools were all closed by 1965 and the Garnier build was demolished in 2004. School land of the boys, girls, and Garnier Schools were never owned by the Canadian Government. Throughout the school operation the schools were owned by the Jesuits Fathers, the Sisters of St. Joseph at Spanish, and the Daughters of the Heart of Mary.

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