UnBQ Blue Quills Timeline
Blue Quills Indian Residential School was active from 1930 -1990. Located on Treaty 6 territory near St Paul des Metis station Blue Quills Indian Residential School replaced the Sacred Heart Indian School, which operated from 1898-1931. The school was run by the Grey Nuns of Montreal and one Oblate Father (principal) until 1926. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate assumed administrative responsibility in the late 1920s. The school was funded by Government of Canada.
Blue Quills Indian Residential School was known by a variety of other names which included Blue Quills Institution, Blue Quills Indian Boarding School, Blue Quills School, Sacred Heart, Sacred Heart Mission, Blue Quills Residential School, Blue Quills Boarding School, Blue Quills Roman Catholic Indian, Residential School. Communities impacted by the school included: Alberta – Saddle Lake Reserve, Cold Lake Reserve, Long Lake Reserve, Kehewin Reserve. Saddle Lake, Beaver, Lake, Cold Lake, Goodfish (Whitefish) Lake, Frog Lake, Heart Lake, Kehewin, and Onion Lake, Saskatchewan, as well as student from other areas of Canada such as the northern territories and British Columbia.
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1891
Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) sets up Notre Dame des Victories boarding school at Lac La Biche
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1898
The school buildings are moved to Saddle Lake First Nation and it is renamed Blue Quills (Sacred Heart) the Department of Indian Affairs (DIA) reimburses the church retroactively in 1900
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1908
A new wing is constructed
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1924
Clerical responsibility for school administration begins to be transferred from the Order of Grey Nuns to the OMI
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1927
OMI increases pupilage from 60 to 69, despite overcrowding. An older boys’ dormitory is established at a mission building
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1929
The DIA identifies a site for moving the school from Saddle Lake FN to near St. Paul and purchases the land: SEC 11 - TWP 58 - RGE 10 W4
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1930
A contract for building construction is awarded J.McDiarmid Co Ltd. of Winnipeg ($168,500)
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1931
December - the new school opens and includes classrooms, infirmary space, a chapel, dormitories, and a "Sisters Community". OMI takes over from Grey Nuns and Reverend Father Angin is appointed principal and business manager. Angin is assisted by Lay Brother, a Farming Instructor, and a staff of 8 Sisters of Charity
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1941
OMI start building a new addition, the DIA approves but says it will not fund
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1951
A shell of the new addition is completed by the OMI, with DIA funding now secured. Work is delayed due to a necessary plumbing and heating overhaul in the main building
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1961
Enrollment reaches a peak of 200 students
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1963 - 1964
The new addition, used as a gymnasium and classroom, is deemed unsafe for use Although supports are added to the existing building, demolition and construction of a new gym are considered
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1966
A plan for a new gym is approved. Three portable classrooms are added
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1969
March - the new gym opens
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1970
There is a 17-day sit in held by Blue Quills Native Education Council to reclaim Indigenous education
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1971
July - Blue Quills Native Education Council takes effective control of school with funding provided by the federal government. Blue Quills becomes Canada’s first residence and school controlled by FN people offering grade 4-9 education
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1975
Blue Quills expands program to offer high school and university classes under "Morning Star" program. On campus residence is still offered to students.
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1980
Blue Quills offers full diploma programs in partnership with Alberta post-secondary instutions such as Grant MacEwan Colleve, University of Alberta, and University of Calgary
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1980
College programs continue to be developed and expanded
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1990
Blue Quills ends offering of high school education programs and is renamed to Blue Quills First Nations College
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2000
In November 2000 Blue Quills First Nations College is accredited by the First Nations Accreditation Board
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2015
Blue Quills becomes University nuhelot’įne thaiyots’į nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills in November.