Letter book

Subject tags: Algoma Missionary News, apprenticeship, carpentry, church societies, college, conpulsory education, curriculum, day schools, Department of Indian Affairs, Diocese of Algoma activities, donations, farming, finances, funding, funding problems, government contacts, government funding, government policy, Indian Agents, Indian Residential School System, Indigenous communities, Indigenous culture, missionary work, public school system, runaway students, school governance, school inspections, school repairs, school reports, school rules, school supplies, staffing, student activities, student clothing, student discharge, student families, student health, student holidays, student occupation, student progress, student recruitment, student retention, student support, tailoring, trades, Wawanosh

The letters in this book are from George Ley King to a number of different people, including church staff and officials, members of the Women’s Auxiliary (part of the Anglican Church), Indian Agents, Government officials such as the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs (Hayter Reed), donors, and Indigenous community members. The information is mostly focused on finances for the two Homes, especially funding towards student support, and student retention and recruitment. Finances were extremely low after Edward F. Wilson left in 1893 with many supporters giving up their donations, and King was having a hard time increasing support and trying to keep the school out of debt. The majority of students at the school during this time were unsupported. At this point in time, the government was much more involved in the management of the school, and King was required to write monthly reports detailing student health, whether any pupils were admitted or discharged, and any notable student progress or school events. Despite being more involved in the management, the government seemed to be less involved in the funding of the school and refused to increase the per capita grant for student support. King was still trying to collect funding to build a New Wawanosh, but as with general funding the money was slow to come in. Many letters deal with donations of toys, books, games, candies, and more as Christmas gifts for the students. King wrote more letters to student families discussing their health, progress, and whether they were eligible to go home for holidays or be discharged.

To view a PDF flipbook version of the book on the Internet Archive, click here, or scroll down for a downloadable version.