The Indigenous Residential School program operated in Canada from 1893 to 1996.
Most of these boarding schools were located in Western Canada.
Truth and Reconciliation Day was established to acknowledge and commemorate the tragic legacy of residential schools in Canada.
This significant day honours the memory of the children who never made it back home and stands in solidarity with the Survivors, their families, and their communities.
By recognizing this day, Canada aims to foster understanding, promote healing, and pave the way for a more inclusive and harmonious future.
How many residential schools were in Alberta?
There were 25 residential schools located in Alberta.
This is the highest number of residential schools in the country.
Number of Residential Schools by Province
| Province | # of Residential Schools |
|---|---|
| Alberta | 25 |
| British Columbia | 18 |
| Saskatchewan | 18 |
| Ontario | 18 |
| Manitoba | 14 |
| Northwest Territories | 14 |
| Nunavut | 14 |
| Quebec | 12 |
| Yukon | 6 |
| Nova Scotia | 1 |
Source: Full list of all Canadian Indigenous Residential Schools by Province
List of Residential Schools in Alberta
- Assumption (Hay Lakes), Assumption, Alberta
- Blue Quills (Saddle Lake, Sacred Heart, formerly Lac la Biche), St. Paul, Alberta
- Crowfoot (St. Joseph’s, Ste. Trinité), Cluny, Alberta
- Desmarais (St. Martin’s, Wabasca Roman Catholic), Desmarais-Wabasca, Alberta
- Edmonton (formerly Red Deer Industrial), St. Albert, Alberta
- Ermineskin, Hobbema, Alberta
- Fort Vermilion (St. Henry’s), Fort Vermilion, Alberta
- Grouard (St. Bernard’s, Lesser Slave Lake Roman Catholic), Grouard , Alberta
- Holy Angels (Fort Chipewyan, École des Saints-Anges), Fort Chipewyan, Alberta
- Joussard (St. Bruno’s), Joussard, Alberta
- Lac la Biche (Notre Dame des Victoire, predecessor to Blue Quills) from 1893 to 1898, Lac la Biche, Alberta
- Lesser Slave Lake (St. Peter’s), Lesser Slave Lake, Alberta
- Morley (Stony), Morley, Alberta
- Old Sun, Gleichen, Alberta
- Sacred Heart, Brocket, Alberta
- St. Albert (Youville), Youville, Alberta
- St. Augustine (Smoky River) from 1900 to 1907, Smoky River, Alberta
- St. Cyprian’s (Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Home), Brocket, Peigan Reserve, Alberta
- St. Joseph’s (Dunbow), High River, Alberta
- St. Mary’s (Blood, Immaculate Conception), Cardston, Alberta
- St. Paul’s (Blood, Anglican/Church of England), Cardston, Alberta
- Sarcee (St. Barnabas), T’suu Tina, Alberta
- Sturgeon Lake (St. Francis Xavier), Calais, Alberta
- St. John’s (Wabasca Anglican/Church of England), Wabasca, Alberta
- Whitefish Lake (St. Andrew’s), Whitefish Lake, Alberta
In Summary
- From 1893 to 1996, Canada had many residential schools that were meant to “assimilate” indigenous people.
- The schools were generally funded by the government and operated by churches.
- The Stephen Harper government issued an official apology on Wednesday June 11, 2008, on behalf of the Canadian government.
- Alberta had 25 residential schools, the highest number in Canada.
