Port Simpson Indian Residential School (IRS) (Crosby Girls’ Home) was located near the Tsimpshean Reserve in Port Simpson north of Prince Rupert on the west coast. The IRS operated from 1892 – 1948 (56 years) and closed on June 30, 1948.
Other names identifying the residential school include Crosby’s home, Crosby Girls Home, Port Simpson (Girls) Industrial School, Port Simpson Indian Girls Home, Port Simpson Girls Industrial Home, Port Simpson Girls Residential School, Crosby Girls’ Home/Indian Residential School, Port Simpson United Church Residential School, and Port Simpson Indian Residential School (no dates identified).
Crosby Girls Home started as a “Home” for students, and the name “Crosby Girls’ Home” was used throughout the operation of the IRS. Port Simpson IRS (Crosby Girls’ Home) was a girls-only IRS. Boys may have been present at the IRS, but we cannot confirm if this was in association with the residence or the day school that operated at the home.nThe Government of Canada was responsible for funding the school and was managed and operated on behalf of the government by the Women’s Missionary Society of the Methodist Church/United Church.
In 1911, an agreement was signed between the federal government and the Methodist Missionary Society, indicating that the Methodist Missionary Society would support, maintain, and educate no more than 45 pupils at Port Simpson (Crosby) Girl’s Home.
In 1892, a per capita grant for 20 pupils was made, [by the federal government], and was paid yearly after that. In 1901, the number of resident pupils increased to 44. Another per capita grant from the federal government was given for 50 pupils. In 1947/48, due to a decrease in admissions, the number of students would not exceed 20.
The information available indicates the grades taught at the IRS included in 1904/05 grades one through six, and in the 1930s, the IRS curriculum included grade eight.
Students from the following bands attended the IRS: Aiyansh, Bella Coola, Gitikshan, Gitlakdamix, Greenville, Hazelton, Kincolith, Kinisquit, Kitikshan, Kitkatla, Kitsegucla, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Lakgulzap, Metlakatla, Nishgah, Tsimpsean, Port Simpson.
1906-00-00
1897-1943
1897-1943
1897-1943
1897-1943
1897-1943
1897-1943
1897-1943
1904-1921
1904-1921
1904-1921
1904-1921
1935-1948
1935-1948
1935-1948
1935-1948
1935-1948
1935-1948
1931-1948
1931-1948
1931-1948
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1931-1948
1931-1948
1913-1914
1913-1914
1913-1914
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1933-1950
1933-1950
1933-1950
1933-1950
1933-1950
1933-1950
1930s
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2010 - 2015