Item R00012822 - Building Maintenance, Supplies, and Accounts

Shubenacadie Indian Residential School (IRS) was situated on a hill overlooking the village of Shubenacadie in the municipality of East Hants. The IRS operated from 1929 - 1967 (38 years) under the Roman Catholic administration officially closing on June 30, 1967.

The school was not known by any other name.

The Government of Canada was responsible for funding the school. It was managed and operated on behalf of the government by the Roman Catholic Church through the Archdiocese of Halifax from 1929 - 1956, then from 1956 - 1967 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, and later the Oblate Indian and Eskimo Commission (INDIANESCOM). The Sisters of Charity assisted in 1929 - 1967. On September 25, 1962, the federal government and Oblate Indian and Eskimo Commission (INDIANESCOM) signed an agreement for the IRS operation.

Grades taught at the IRS included primary, elementary, and junior high schools from 1930/31 to 1966/67 except in 1934/35 when junior high school was no offered. Information regarding grades not available for four years - 1951/52, 1952/53, 1956/57, and 1957/58.

Student enrolment statistics are available for every year from 1929/30 - 1966/67 and indicated a low enrolment of 56 in 1966/67 and a high of 175 students in 1937/38. Day school student enrolment was very minimal - 2 students in 1960/61, 1 student in 1961/62, and 7 students in 1964/65.

Students also attended schools off-residence in the village of Shubenacadie in 1941 for grades 9 - 10, 1942 - 44 for grades 9 - 11, and the Micmac Reserve in1957/58 - 1961/62 for grades 4 - 8, and 1962/63 - 1963/64 for grades 6 - 8.