Historic Sites of Manitoba: Birtle Indian Residential School (Birtle)

The first facility at the Town of Birtle used for the education of Aboriginal children was known as the “Stone School”. Built in 1882, it was situated two blocks west of the Main Street bridge. Originally built as a school for the children of Birtle, Mayor J. S. Crawford persuaded the federal government in 1890 to lease the building as a boarding school for Aboriginal children from surrounding reserves. They used it for a year or two then town children returned to the Stone School until it burned in 1895.

In 1894, a dedicated Indian Residential School was built at this site, on a hill overlooking Birtle. A pile of gray stones from its foundation are visible down the hill from the brick building that replaced it in 1931-1932. Children were taught agricultural methods at a model farm located at the school. The facility closed in 1972 and the main building has been bought and sold a few times. Part of it was renovated for use as a residence and there were plans to develop a cultural centre there, but the building has been sitting vacant for several years.

Postcard of Birtle Indian Residential School (circa 1908) Source: Rob McInnes Postcard of Birtle Indian Residential School (no date) Source: Gordon Goldsborough, 2011-0036 Postcard of Birtle Indian Residential School (no date) Source: Rob McInnes, MN0220 Front view of Birtle Indian Residential School (May 2011) Source: Matea Tuhtar Rear view of Birtle Indian Residential School (May 2011) Source: Matea Tuhtar Interior of the Birtle Indian Residential School (June 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough One-room schoolhouse on the grounds of the Birtle Indian Residential School (June 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Interior of the one-room schoolhouse (June 2012) Source: Gordon Goldsborough Site Location (lat/long): N50.43191, W101.04183 denoted by symbol on the map above

See also:

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Brandon Indian Residential School (RM of Cornwallis)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Elkhorn Indian Residential School

Historic Sites of Manitoba: MacKay Indian Residential School (The Pas)

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Pine Creek Indian Residential School / Camperville Indian Residential School

Historic Sites of Manitoba: Julia Clark School (611 Academy Road, Winnipeg)

Sources:

“Birtle brevities”, Manitoba Free Press, 25 April 1890, page 5.

“Passing It On”, RM and Town of Birtle History, 1884-2009, RM of Birtle, 2009.

We thank Margaret Ashcroft, Nancy Evans, Matea Tuhtar, and Rob McInnes for providing information used here.

Information for this page was collected and prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 24 November 2012

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