A Portion of the Grey Nuns Chronicles of St. Mary’s (Immaculate Conception) Indian Residential School in Standoff, Alberta – 1946 to 1948
Perhaps better than any essay could, these Chronicles and others like them flesh out the picture we have of Canada’s Indian Residential Schools and the individuals who served in them.
The Grey Nun Chronicles record daily life at the St. Mary’s IRS for a period of 22 years – 1946 to 1968. For reasons of length, only the period 1946 to 1948 has been chosen for this posting.
⬥ Translated from the French by Eloi DeGrâce with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) – December 2021
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November 29, 1946
Here we are at the dawn of an annual celebration which brings the charm of a joyful note to all the staff of our school. Young and old alike are moving briskly throughout the day, as the most joyous and attractive celebration is being adorned and prepared for this evening. Without a doubt, the actors played their roles wonderfully in front of a rather large audience. Reverend Father Principal, Fr. A. Charron, hero of the day. Fathers Levern, Girard, Poulin, Brother Tom Morkin, the Sisters, all the boys and girls, Mr. and Mrs. Coady and his little family of four. In the most appropriate terms, Rev. Father Charron thanked the organizers of the evening and emphasized that his feast day was undoubtedly the day on which he felt his burden of responsibility was lessened. And, to conclude, he gives a nice farewell before taking leave of us.
St. Mary’s IRS students in costume as they prepare to put on a play – date unknown
December 9, 1946
Technician Don Harkness and technician Miss Eileen Kerr come to take an X-ray of the lungs of all our students. We appreciate the advantage and the great relief of not having to transport the 160 students of our school to the hospital in Cardston.
December 22, 1946
It is customary to have a concert each year called the “Christmas Concert”. We are doing it today. The audience is small because it is almost impossible for many to attend since this date is too close to the beautiful Christmas holiday, which is more important than any other to celebrate. Each class does its share and each one fulfills its role very well.
December 23, 1946
Santa Claus, accompanied by the Rotarians, came, as in previous years, to distribute candy to our little Indians. Hearts are happy and eyes sparkle with joy at Santa’s comical and demonstrative gestures.
December 24, 1946
Our parents start to arrive early despite the difficult roads. A very large number of them come to join us to celebrate the beautiful feast of Christmas in a “grandiose” way. Our church gathered at least five hundred people for the midnight mass; for many years, it is said, we have not seen such a large attendance.
May God be glorified and may his reign be established over all hearts.
A small change has been made to the vacation granted to our students. The departure which, according to the custom, was only in the afternoon, the permission gives the liberty to all to leave after the lunch to go to enjoy for twelve days the joys of the family life.
Parents of St. Mary’s IRS students pay a visit to the school – date unknown
January 5, 1947
Our students return from their vacations. 60 boys and 75 girls faithfully answered the call.
Two of our boys, Emil Scout and Patrick Cross Child, having reached the age of sixteen, did not return, their discharge having been granted. So did Pauline Eagle Plume.
January 12, 1947
The boys from Pincher Creek School come to play a game of hockey. The honour of victory went to our students who had the good fortune to score 7 points against 1 by their opponents. A light snack was served before their return.
January 19, 1947
The news of the X-rays reached us today, the result is as follows: 3 boys and 3 girls are in a positive state and they are required to go to the Charles Camsell Hospital in Edmonton for a period of treatment. They are Aloysius Good Rider, Bertrand Red Crow, Guy Russell, Arabella Fox, Loretta Mills, Rachel Brewer. A few others will have to take another X-ray in 3 or 4 months.
January 31, 1947
We are blessed today with one more soul in the Good Shepherd fold. James Good Striker whose parents are Protestants was adopted by his younger sister who converted to our church to unite her destiny with one of our former students, Stephen Fox. It was then that James was placed in our school two years ago. According to government laws, he was admitted and Rev. Father Levern conferred the sacrament of baptism on him. He is nine years old.
February 3, 1947
To reward and encourage our girls to continue their lively emulation of the English language, we are organizing a fun trip for them. At four o’clock, six big girls boarded the car to head for Lethbridge where a nice game of hockey was to be played. Permission was generously granted by Father P. A. Charron, Principal, who acted as their driver. It is with great pleasure that they return to us at a late hour of the night.
February 9, 1947
It was the turn of another group of English girls to enjoy a trip in cars to MacLeod for a game of hockey. Their happiness was complete and they were most grateful to their benefactors.
February 12, 1947
Guy Russell had to return to his family to rest his ailing lungs, so he was given his first communion before his final departure. In order to comply with the parents’ wishes, Rev. Father Levern went to the hospital with Guy and Francis, his brother, where the whole family was present to attend this solemn hour.
March 18, 1947
The flu is waging war in our school; some Sisters and more than a hundred children are mercilessly affected. But, two or three days seem to be enough to fight off the villain.
From The History of Influenza – https://www.flu.com
March 20, 1947
Rev. Father Girard, a great lover and director of sports, is giving a performance tonight of his boxing class. The extras are the little boys who are of great interest to all the school personnel who have come to attend the boxing session.
April 8, 1947
Our patients [names not given] called to the Edmonton Hospital for treatment of their lungs, leave today. Fr. Charron, Principal, and Mr. MacLeod of the agency are taking them to the train at Calgary.
April 19, 1947
Two of our students have returned from Edmonton, Bertrand Red Crow and Rachel Plume (Brewer). Their health has improved and their present condition does not require any special treatment; both are returning to class today.
May 12, 1947
We are visited today by Miss MacCready, Dietitian, Government Representative. She is giving her attention especially to the kitchen and also to the children’s refectory.
May 15, 1947
Miss MacCready leaves for her visit to the Anglican school. Rev. Father Principal will drive her. She was very kind during her stay with us.
May 21, 1947
Inspector Hinman arrived on the quiet this morning. Mr. Coady, to his surprise, the Sisters are interested in him first. Sister Frohlich is doing the honours this afternoon and Sister Dorilla Simard tomorrow. The other two teachers are waiting impatiently, because he cannot promise when he will return.
May 24, 1947
Our students are overjoyed, the beautiful day of May 24 has finally arrived. At the agreed time, the big truck stops at the door and in the blink of an eye we see it filled with children. Cheers of joy roll through the air as the truck drives away to Stand Off, the area reserved for the annual picnic. Our girls, in their softball game against the people of Cluny, won 21 to zero. Long live our people! Long live our school!
The Rev. Father Charron, Principal, having granted our students (with the exception of a little orphan girl) permission to extend their little holiday until the next day, no one returned to us in the evening.
May 25, 1947
Everyone answered the call to return, except for 11 latecomers.
June 14, 1947
Allen of Ottawa, member of the Indian Affairs Department, and Gooderham, Inspector of Indian Reserves, are the guests of Rev. Charron, Principal, for dinner.
June 22, 1947
The distribution of end-of-school-year prizes being held tonight, our students will be free to leave tomorrow for their vacation.
June 23, 1947
We are giving hospitality to the installation of an X-ray machine, as we are in a central location, which favours all our Indians on the Reserve. The x-ray evidence will determine those with the dreaded disease of tuberculosis. Sisters Catherine Frohlich, Alice Houle and Gabrielle Simard, assist in the registration of the population.
Sister Gabrielle Simard with a class of St. Mary’s IRS students
June 30, 1947
Miss Lina Heavy Shield went to Lethbridge to write her Grade IV exam in Music; she left with her aunt Mrs. Helen Many Fingers (Helen Fox).
July 11, 1947
Return of Sisters A. Corriveau, Superior, and Mary Hagan. The latter has just arrived from Lebret where she has been taking diet lessons provided free of charge by the Indian Department for a week. It is difficult at the present time to apply the lessons taught in our residential schools because of the lack of accommodation and the lack of fruit food which we would like to have served daily. We are told that the government will help us, so it will be quite opportune to make improvements.
July 12, 1947
Our two musicians have just received the results of their music exams; both passed with a grade of “Distinction” each. A certificate will be granted to them in a few months.
July 15, 1947
Our students are in the spotlight this year. They brought home the most prizes at the Calgary and Edmonton Exhibition, thanks to the dedication of our good teachers, without question, and our best congratulations to all. We receive a cheque for $102.75.
August 3, 1947
Rev. Father Levern left this morning for the mission of Stand Off, accompanied by our Srs. Dorina Hébert and Yvonne Gingras. To enhance the wedding ceremony of Mr. Horace Big Throat with Miss Elizabeth Healy, the Rev. Father deigned to invite some of the Sisters and to bring to the new couple the wishes of the whole community.
September 9, 1947
After enjoying their great freedom for two long months, our Indian boys find school life, alas, too hard. Six of them decide, without the knowledge of the supervisors, to leave.
October 13, 1947
Our students, boys and girls, are marking this year’s Thanksgiving holiday with a horseback ride. No one doubts that our youth are enjoying themselves.
October 14, 1947
Our Inspector Hinman arrives quietly and asks to gather the grades 4, 5, 6 in order to proceed to an examination to know the average of capacity in the intellectual development of our Indians.
November 6, 1947
Dr. Murray, oculist, accompanied by Dr. Key and his assistant, Mrs. Craigan, came to make an examination of all our students. It was a little over an hour’s work.
November 7, 1947
Dr. McCaffry, dentist, from the Health Department, arrives to do dental service on our 175 students.
November 12, 1947
Miss McCready, dietician, arrives for her annual visit.
November 17, 1947
Reserve Officer Mr. R. Ragan and his charming companion are making the class visit today. Miss McCready, having completed her visit, leaves today to continue her professional work.
(Ralph Ragan, the Indian Agent for the Blood Reserve, was later made an Honorary Chief of the Kainai. Father Maurice LaFrance, later the Principal of St. Mary’s IRS, was also made an Honorary Chief in 1962.)
November 20, 1947
Thursday, 20th. In order to celebrate joyfully and to participate in some way in the feast of Princess Elizabeth’s wedding, our students are granted a leave of absence to be with their families. They are all leaving this afternoon and will have to return on Sunday.
November 22, 1947
Our congratulations go to our Sisters Catherine Frohlich, Gabrielle Simard, Auréa Mageau, Françoise Côté and Alice Tollelan for the great success they obtained last summer in their exams for the higher diploma. A magnificent diploma is awarded to them on this occasion.
November 23, 1947
Sunday, 23rd. Our students are all back this evening, and we could see that they were faithful to come back on time. It is quite amazing.
December 13, 1947
Rev. Father Principal having bought new tables for the children’s refectory, we are installing them today and taking advantage of the opportunity to start giving each table of 8 people the advantages of family service. A sufficient number of dishes are distributed at each table, thus giving the child the advantage of learning to serve himself with civility.
December 19, 1947
We are giving the Christmas concert for our Indians which was partly a repetition of the previous concert; then all permission was given to our students to go with their parents to do their Christmas shopping. Wasn’t it exceptional this year, since each Indian child, like all of them, received the sum of $10 for their share of the inheritance on the land sold.
December 21, 1947
All of the children come back to us, except for 7 girls.
December 22, 1947
Santa Claus, accompanied by the Rotarians, comes to distribute some sweets to the children. There is joy and gaiety; we sing, we applaud and we laugh.
6 January 1948
After a two-week vacation that was, we believe, quite joyful, the children return to us happy and ready to continue their school year. All answer the call.
January 17, 1948
Great event today! Princess Elizabeth and Duke Philip, not in person, but on film, will appear at the Cardston Theatre. The teachers, with their students who won the place of honour on the list of the month, have the privilege of going to see this cinematic reproduction. They return enchanted, but with one regret however — that of not having been able to share with all the beauties that they have contemplated there.
Presumably the November 1947 film that gave the St. Mary’s students so much enjoyment
January 30, 1948
Death of Aloysius Good Rider, son of Emil Good Rider. Discharged from school last year because of active tuberculosis, Aloysius was sent immediately to the Edmonton Indian Sanatorium. After about a year of good care, he returned to his family completely cured. A carelessness on the part of the convalescent caused him to fall again, and this time the disease took him to his grave within a few months. He was 15 years old.
January 31, 1948
Saturday 31. Rev. Father Levern sings the funeral service for Aloysius at the church in Stand Off. Our two sisters, Auréa Mageau and Gabrielle Simard, while assisting with the music and singing, acted as consoling angels.
February 10, 1948
Tonight, at the music hall, we celebrate Valentine’s Day, anticipated because of Lent. Boys and girls are having a great time. Whist, singing and music, then the distribution of valentines, fill the too short hours of the evening.
February 20, 1948
The children will spend the weekend at home.
February 29, 1948
Annie Iron Horn, 17, a former student returns to school, but as an employee this time. She will help in the sewing room.
March 13, 1948
Mrs. Joe Crow Chief, a recluse for several years, whose death we learned of yesterday, is receiving the last consolation of religion this morning at the Stand Off church. Rev. Father Levern officiates at the service. Our Sisters Desaulniers and Mageau will at the same time show sympathies and do the singing. Charlie and Gilbert are two of his children who are presently in school.
March 15, 1948
Persevering work being done by the clinic to curb all contagious diseases, today we received Dr. Matas, a tuberculosis specialist at the Camsell Hospital in Edmonton. According to a test given to all previously, forty of our students received an anti-tuberculosis injection.
From Tuberculosis in Canada: 1924-2012; CCDR – 20 March 2014 • Volume 40-6
March 28, 1948
We have a splendid Easter celebration. High mass sung by our students who sing it with all their hearts. The attendance was numerous and we gave the traditional dinner to 128 people. After the dinner, to our great satisfaction, a beautiful week’s vacation was announced and our students immediately took their freedom. Thank you, God for all your blessings.
April 16, 1948
Mr. Inspector Hinman comes to us discreetly for the annual class visit. “Senior Boys” are the first to be honoured to receive him.
April 19, 1948
Mr. Clark, Inspector of the Indian Department in Ottawa, arrives for the visit of our school. He seems to want to give us the benefit of his power in the improvement of our various activities. The future will show us.
April 25, 1948
We are pleased and honoured to witness today the marriage of two of our students, Celina Big Throat and James Twigg, who have been discharged from the school for the past year and who had their marriage blessed before their marital union. We hope that this fine example will lead many others to embrace this fine Christian ideal.
May 14, 1948
To the joy of one and all, we learn that this evening, they will come to give moving pictures on the duties and obligations of a Mountie; another part will also be on the Eskimo way of life.
May 17, 1948
Inspector Hinman is finishing his annual visit today and is very pleased with the dedication and qualities of our teachers. Each one receives a good report.
May 21, 1948
Today our children are doubly blessed with a half day’s vacation added to the annual holiday of May 24. They are free to leave as their parents arrive.
June 29, 1948
The results of the musical examinations reached us today and put our musicians in the spotlight. Rosabel Creighton receives it with the grade of “High Distinction”. The other three, Lena Heavy Sheild, Mary Ruth Bebee, Delphine Fox, received the grade “Distinction”.
July 13, 1948
To facilitate the practice of English [for the teachers], we are beginning a period of daily study which will promote progress in conversation in this foreign language. All are happy to benefit from the good lessons of their regular teacher, Sister C. Frohlich.
July 27, 1948
Miss Sackville, a dietary employee of the Ottawa Department, came to pay a short visit to our school. In a meeting with all the Sisters, she gave an outline of the government plan for the feeding of our Indian children, of which we will have to give a detailed report next September.
September 7, 1948
Our students return smiling for a new school year, except for a few who will always be our latecomers.
October 5, 1948
Mr. Bernard Neary, Superintendent of Education, Ottawa Department, accompanied by Mr. Gooderham, Inspector of Indian Reserves, and Mr. R. Regan, Agent of the Cardston Reserve, arrived for a visit of the staff of our school and the various departments. At the same time, doctors and nurses from the National Health and Welfare Office are also arriving to conduct general examinations of all our students tomorrow. Our community offers the space for this activity and we rent the apartment to them. We must also note that Dr. McCaffry, a dentist, is also doing the work of extracting teeth in a neighbouring apartment.
October 10, 1948
To cheer up our children, we have organized a proper “Fishing” evening which our youth love.
October 19, 1948
As previously announced, Miss D. Tripp, a dietician from the Ottawa Health Department, is coming to spend a week with us to keep a record of our staff’s menu which will then be brought to Ottawa and submitted to the study of those interested in this matter in order to find out if vitamins and protein are sufficient to improve the health of our Indians.
October 24, 1948
To give Miss D. Tripp some entertainment, our girls have organized a little recreational evening where songs, monologues, music, etc., combine to give the audience an impression of contentment.
St. Mary’s students in preparation for a dramatic presentation – date unknown
October 30, 1948
One of our students, Frances Eagle Child, having obtained her admission to the Lacombe Home Convent in Midnapore, is going there today, determined to continue her studies in the high school.
December 9, 1948
As took place last year, all Indians on the Reserve are called to come and have their X-rays. The work is done in the girls’ recreation room. Throughout the session, a film is shown demonstrating the development of the microbe, the precautions to be taken for the preservation of health, etc.
December 22, 1948
Santa Claus comes this year to distribute candy, peanuts and fruit to our children. The joy of receiving finds its echo in the hearts of our visitors who exult in joy in coming to make them happy. A buffet snack is served to them after the reception.
December 23, 1948
This evening takes place the distribution of Christmas stockings containing each one candies, toys, that our good Father Principal gives free, and that each one is so happy to receive.
Parents from the Blood Reserve pay a visit to St. Mary’s IRS
December 24, 1948
Our Indians came in great numbers to midnight mass. The first song “O Holy Night” was sung by Mr. Forestier. Our students enthusiastically took charge of the singing at mass. When the service was over, everyone was invited to go to our refectory for a refreshment generally called “Christmas Meal”; at least 250 people took part, not counting the children. Afterwards, permission was given to our students to leave for their fortnightly vacation.
May God be glorified and may his reign be established over all hearts!
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To access the full Chronicles collection, go to https://indianresidentialschoolrecords.com/staff-chronicles/
