Item R00010748 - Building Maintenance, Supplies, and Accounts

Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School (IRS) was initially located on the west side of Shoal Lake, western Ontario, near the Manitoba border, just east of Shoal Lake Reserve No. 40, about 45 miles southwest of Rat Portage (Kenora) from 1901 - 1929. The second location was on 168 acres of land surrounding Round Lake, 3 miles from the town of Kenora. The IRS operated from 1902 - 1976 (74 years).

Other names identifying the residential school include Cecilia Jeffrey Boarding School, Shoal Lake School, and Cecilia Jeffrey Residence (no dates identified). Different spellings include Cecelia Jeffrey, Cecilia Jaffray, Cecilia Jeffray, and Cecilia Jefferey.

The Government of Canada was responsible for funding the school which was managed and operated by the Presbyterian Church in Canada through the Foreign Mission Committee of the Presbyterian Church (later known as the Board of Home Missions, working with the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society (W.F.M.S.), later known as the Women’s Missionary Society (W.M.S.) from 1902 - 1925). From 1925 - April 1, 1927, the United Church of Canada operated and managed the IRS. The Women’s Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church operated and managed the school from 1927 - 1969. On April 1, 1969, the management and operation of the IRS were transferred to the Government of Canada until it officially closed on August 31, 1976. On April 1, 1911, an operational agreement was signed between the Government of Canada and Reverend R.P. MacKay of the Presbyterian Church in Canada for the management and operation of the IRS. On May 22, 1962, an operational agreement was signed between the Government of Canada and the Women’s Missionary Society of the Presbyterian Church in Canada for the management and operation of the IRS. Students attending the IRS came from Shoal Lake, North West Angle No. 33 and No. 37, Whitefish Bay, Islington, Fort Alexander, Rat Portage, Lac des Mille Lacs, Deer Lake, Lac Seul, Osnaburgh, Pic Mobert, Assabaska, Fort Hope, Fisher River, Long Plain, Seine River, and Martin Falls.

No information available on the grades taught at the IRS.

No information available regarding student enrolment at the IRS.