Old Sun Classroom

This computer reconstruction approximates how classrooms at Old Sun Indian Residential school would have appeared. This reconstruction was created using historic photographs as well as descriptions provided by former students.

“I have reason to believe that the agents as a whole … are doing all they can, by refusing food until the Indians are on the verge of starvation, to reduce the expense,” – Sir John A. MacDonald, 1882

Visualizing Classrooms From the Past

Old Sun School, Gleichen, Alberta – Classroom of children with teachers. – [194-?]. P7538-1015 from the General Synod Archives, Anglican Church of Canada.
Old Sun Community College has undergone a remarkable transformation from an institution of oppression and coercive tutelage to one of that is playing a key role in cultural revitalization. The changing of dormitories into classrooms, and chapels into a library means there is often little within the building to remind staff, students, and visitors about its history as a former Indian Residential School.

Computer reconstruction and gaming technology provide a mean of visualizing how different areas of Old Sun might have appeared in the past. Dr. Katayoon Etemad who is a computer science researcher at the University of Calgary created this reconstruction of a classroom at Old Sun Indian Residential School as it may have appeared in the 1960’s. The model was created using historic photographs and the memories of residential school survivors who attended Old Sun Indian.

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

Angeline Ayoungman- They Dragged Me

They dragged me out of the car, from the car. And well, you see the big long stairs. You know, they were dragging me up the long stairs. One of them was dragging me up the stairs and I said “I want to go home, I don’t want to come here.” I was, I think, I was hanging onto every one of the, you know, the pillars. Whoever it was they just dragged me up the stairs. There, at the top of the stairs, to the door. I held on tight to the door and they pried me loose from the door. ‘Cause, remember back, oh yeah, they had the double doors. They opened and I hung on tightly to the door and then they dragged me in.

– Angeline Ayoungman

Notes:

Group Oral interview with Angeline Ayoungman, Gwendora Bear Chief, Olivia Good River, Ramona Low Horn, Rosemary Red Gun, Donna Jean Raw Eater, Allan Stevens, Walter Stevens, Francis (Butch) Wolf Leg, and Herman Yellow Old Woman. Conducted by Vivian Ayoungman, Joey Big Snake, Peter Dawson, Madisen Hvidberg, and Brendon Many Bears. Translated and transcribed by Angeline Ayoungman, Gwendora Bear Chief, and Madisen Hvidberg. Old Sun Community College, September 30, 2020.