Old Sun Chapel

This computer reconstruction approximates how the chapel at Old Sun would have appeared at Old Sun Indian Residential School. It was created using historic photos as well as descriptions provided by former students.

“We instill within them a pronounced distaste of the Indian way of life so that they will be humiliated when reminded of their origin. When they graduate from our institutions, the children have lost everything except their Native blood”. – Bishop Vital Grandin, 1875

3D Computer Reconstruction of Old Sun’s Chapel

Angie Ayoungman (front) and Gwendora Bear Chief (back) point out changes to be made to the virtual reconstruction. October 2021.

Computer science researcher Dr. Katayoon Etemad used historic photographs and survivors accounts to recreate the appearance of the chapel during the 1960’s. Etemad would provide members of the Old Sun Advisory Group with different versions of the model. Members would then suggest changes and send the model back to Etemad for revisions. This “back and forth” process eventually resulted in a closer approximation of how the chapel would have looked to staff and students.

The Prevalence of Religion at Indian Residential Schools

Residential School Survivors describe being indoctrinated with religion, being punished for speaking their language, and being mocked for practicing their culture. Felix Mukego who attended BQ IRS explained: “they try to indoctrinate you with religion. Pound in you a fear of God or whatever God is supposed to be. Made you pray maybe 7 times a day. Made you go to church every morning, whether you like it or not. On your hands and knees. On a cold cement floor to say your Catholic prayers” (Muskego, 2014).

This image gallery shows historic and modern photos of Old Sun College's library. Click on photos to expand and read their captions. If you have photos of that you would like to submit to this archive, please contact us at irsdocumentationproject@gmail.com.

Chapel of Old Sun ca. 1952. Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, Algoma University

Canon Gibbon Stocken conducting service at Old Sun School. - [ca. 1949]. P75-103-S7-198 from The General Synod Archives, Anglican Church of Canada

Chapel interior, Old Sun Residential School. 1955-1957. NA-4817-65. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives .

Choir at Christmas, Old Sun School. Nativity scene in foreground. Possibly in the chapel. 1955-1957. NA-4817-28. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives .

Mrs. Water Chief (right) and Mrs. Gunny Crow (left) on the steps of Old Sun after leaving church held in the school chapel. 1955-1957. NA-4817-66. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives .

Women and children leaving Old Sun after church in the chapel. Despite community members attending services held in the Old Sun chapel, students were not allowed to speak with them. 1955-1957. NA-4817-67. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives .

Students in the chapel of Old Sun during the filming of a documentary, ca. 1952. Photo Source: Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, Algoma University

Siksika community members in the chapel of Old Sun during the filming of a documentary, ca. 1952. Photo Source: Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, Algoma University

Community members in chapel during filming of a movie. 1952. Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, Algoma University.

Staff in chapel during filming of a movie. 1952. Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, Algoma University.

Students outside standing in front of the school chapel. 1950s. Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, Algoma University

Old Sun chapel 1952. Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre, Algoma University

Canon Gibbon Stocken and Chief Paul Little Walker at the front of Old Sun chapel [ca. 1949]. P75-103-S7-197 from The General Synod Archives, Anglican Church of Canada

Elsie Maguire- Chased with Snakes

I remember, we were playing outside and these boys came over to our side and they had a, I don’t know what kind of snake, garden snake or whatever. And they were chasing us around with the snake. We were all screaming and running around. They were chasing us with that snake. They wouldn’t even let us go towards the door, to go inside. After that, those boys wouldn’t let us go back into the school.

The next time when it was time to go outside, well with me, I didn’t want to go outside cause I was so scared of those, the snakes or garden snakes. So, every time we’re going to outside, I have that fear of those snakes. I didn’t want to go outside but we have no choice, we have to go outside.

I’m done.

– Elsie Maguire

Nistoianakok Katsikoomi’kamohsaki. Ahmoo nitiayakohtsipoyipi mii soahsti. Nitsakiaskiniip nitsitsawawahkahpinaan, kiniiksi sahkomapiiks iitsipohsapoyawah, ki matsskinipa manistapoh piksiiksiina. Ki nohpitohksisaiskokinaan ani piksiiksiina. Kii nitohkanaipiiskinospinaan ki nitawahsokooskaspinaan. Nitohpoksisaskokinaan ani piksiiksiina. Nitsitaiookookinan ani kiitsim, nitahkitsawohkootsipihpinaan

Ki ani, niksi sahkomapiiks nimataiskaksipiatsokinaan mi iitoapoapi. Ki ani nita’taksaksinaani, niistoa, nimatstahpa nitahsak’si, nitsiikoomaistoonoaih niiski piksiiksinaiks. Nimatohkataistahpa nitahksaki, ki nitaistinaisaksinaan.

Kiyun

– Elsie Maguire