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Similar Fort Battleford, Penelakut Island, Lake Saint‑Louis, Carlisle Indian Industrial, Assiniboine Park Zoo | ||
The Battleford Industrial School was a Canadian residential school for First Nations children in Battleford, Saskatchewan. It opened in 1883 and was located in the Old Government House. Old Government House, built in 1878–1879, was the seat of the Territorial Government from 1878 to 1883 of the Northwest Territories. Battleford Industrial School closed in 1914.
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History
The interior of the school was damaged during the North West Rebellion of 1885. Later that year on November 27 the students were taken from the school to witness the hanging of 8 leaders of the Cree uprising in Fort Battleford. Most of the students were from the Ahtahkakoop, Mistawasis and John Smith reserves.
The school had less than 30 students when it first opened. They were taught trades related to agriculture, carpentry and blacksmithing. Academic courses were reading, writing and English.
A new east wing was added in 1889.
Later use of the building
The building then became the Seventh-day Adventist Battleford Academy from 1916 to 1931 with enrolments of between 114 and 160 students. A farm of 565 acres was attached.
From 1932 to 1972 it was the Oblate House of Studies and the St. Charles Scholasticate (seminary) which closed in 1972. The Oblates left the building in 1984. Old Government House was designated a national historic site of Canada in 1973. The building was destroyed by fire in 2003.