Poplar Hill Indian Residential School (IRS) was located across the Berens River from the community of Poplar Hill about 120 km north of Red Lake from 1962 - 1989 (27 years). The school closed, as noted in the Mennonite Reporter, in the fall of 1989.
Other names identifying the school included Mennonite Mission School (1962), Poplar Hill Indian Residential School, Poplar Hill Residential School (1962 - 1969), and Poplar Hill Development School (1969 - 1989).
The Government of Canada was responsible for funding the school, which was managed and operated by the Mennonite Northern Light Gospel Mission from 1962 - 1989. On December 16, 1971, the federal government signed an agreement with the Northern Light Gospel Missions, Inc., for the provision of professional school services, including room and board for all students and monthly allowances for grade nine students. On January 12, 1973, the federal government signed an agreement with the Northern Light Gospel Missions, Inc., to provide professional school services and maintenance services. In 1979 and 1980, the federal government signed agreements with the Northern Light Gospel Mission to provide professional school services, including room and board for students. In 1981, an unsigned addendum to a Tuition Agreement between the federal government and the Northern Light Gospel Missions for the accommodation of fifty students at the Poplar Hill Development School notes that the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council was to approve special course outlines.
The grades taught at the IRS were primary (1, 2, 3), elementary (4, 5, 6), and junior high (7, 8, 9) with kindergarten/beginner from 1963 - 1969 and high school sporadically - 1974/75, 1979/80, 1981-1984. Student enrolment at the IRS ranged from 35 (1962/63) to 99 (1972/73), with total enrollment over 27 years reaching 1,594 students, an average of approximately 60 students annually.
1961-11-10
1961-11-15
1962-04-17
1962-07-26
1962-08-27
1962-10-12
1962-10-23
1962-12-05
1963-02-20
1963-04-17
1963-04-17
1963-10-28
1963-11-07
1963-11-13
1964-06-11
1964-06-24
1965-09-29
1966-01-31
1966-00-00
1966-07-16
1967-02-11
1967-02-16
1967-02-23
1967-04-03
1967-04-11
1967-05-25
1967-06-14
1967-02-28
1967-03-23
1967-09-30
1967-11-30
1981-06-00
1982-06-00
1984-06-00
1985-06-00
1986-06-00
1988-06-00
1968-12-11
2010 - 2015