In August 2003, a group from the Long Plain First Nation near Portage la Prairie, Manitoba proposed to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation in Ottawa to establish a Residential School Museum of Canada. Funding was approved, and work is now underway.
The Indian Residential School Museum of Canada will be situated in the former Portage Indian School (now the Rufus Prince Building) on Long Plain Reserve land adjoining the city of Portage la Prairie. Resolutions of support have been passed by both the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs and the Assembly of First Nations.
Organizers of the Museum are seeking the help of MHS members and others who have information on the Indian Schools in Manitoba (or elsewhere). They are currently looking for any information, documents and photos relating to the following schools and the communities in which they operated:
- Portage Indian School (both schools: the Methodist School formed in 1880 and the more contemporary Presbyterian/United School which opened in 1911)
- Brandon Industrial School
- Sandy Bay Indian School
- Birtle Indian School
- Assiniboia Residential School
- Cecilia Jeffery Residential School - Kenora
Please contact:
Shanyn French Silinski
Project Coordinator,
Indian Residential School Museum of Canada
Long Plain First Nation
Box 430
Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3B7
Email: lppr@mts.net
Cell: (204) 871-1045
Temporary office: (204) 252-2774
