Item R00007305 - School Lands, Correspondence Regarding Estate of Late Margaret Cummings, and Plans

The Portage La Prairie IRS was located one-quarter mile east of town, not on the reserve, then later on River lots 50, 51, and 52 on Crescent Lake Road in the community of Portage La Prairie. The IRS operated from 1891 - 1975 (84 years). Effective 1957, the IRS operated only as a student residence/hostel until it officially closed on June 30, 1975.

Other names identifying the IRS were Portage la Prairie Sioux Boarding School (1896 - 1908), Portage la Prairie Boarding School (1896 - 1927), Portage la Prairie Indian Residential School (1927 - 1965), and Portage Indian Student Residence (1965 - 1975).

The Government of Canada was responsible for funding the school, which was managed and operated by the Presbyterian Church in Canada from 1891 - 1926. From 1926 - 1969, the school was administered by the United Church of Canada’s Women’s Missionary Society and from 1965 by the Board of Home Missions of the United Church of Canada. An agreement dated 1962 between the Church and the Department outlined the responsibilities for the management of the school.