Wabasca Indian Residential School (IRS) was located within Treaty 8 territory in Wabasca at the southeastern shore of North Wabasca Lake alongside Wabasca Indian Reserve #166B 230 miles north of Edmonton. The IRS operated from 1902 - 1966 (64 years). St. John’s Residence officially closed on September 1, 1966.
Other names identifying the residential school include Wapuskaw Mission, Wapuskaw (Indian School), Athabasca Landing School, St. John’s Mission Wapuskaw School, Wapuscaw School, Mission School at Wabiscow, Church of England Boarding School at Wapuskaw, Wabiscow Boarding School, Wabiscaw Lake Church of England Boarding School, Wabasca C. of E. Indian Residential School #767, Wabash ACC IRS, St. John’s School, and Wabiska C. of E. (no dates identified).
The Government of Canada was responsible for funding the school, which was managed and operated by the Anglican Church through the Diocese of Athabasca (1902 - 1920s) and the Missionary Society of the Church of England in Canada (M.S.C.C.) (to 1966).
In 1911, an agreement between His Majesty the King and Rt. Rev. George Holmes, D.D., D.C.L. Bishop of Athabaska. In 1962, an agreement between Her Majesty the Queen and the Missionary Society of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Minimal information is available on what grades were taught; however, in 1963, St. John’s has two classrooms of its own, covering grades one to six.
Students from other reserves include Bigstone Band (Jean Baptiste Reserve, Gambler Reserve, Wabasca Reserve). In 1964, a few students from the Saddle Lake Agency attended St. John’s, and in 1965, one girl from Cardston, a girl and boy from Gleichen, and one girl and two boys from Spedden also attended the school.
Student enrolment statistics are primarily consistent from 1902 – 1966, with a few missing years; however, there was a low enrolment of 7 in 1907 and 1914 and a high enrolment of 105 in 1963.
Day-school student enrolment statistics range from 32 in 1961 to 7 or less per year from 1962 - 1966.
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