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Letter book

Description
Creator: 

Rev. George Ley King

Start Date: 
1895
End Date: 
1896
Date Range: 
1895-1896
Physical Description: 

4.5 cm of textual records.

1 v., 1000p.

Notes: 

Condition: Binding in good condition, a few of the index pages are loose

Subject tags: Algoma Missionary News, apprenticeship, bootmaking, carpentry, church societies, compulsory education, curriculum, Department of Indian Affairs, donations, farming, finances, funding, funding problems, fundraising, government contacts, government funding, government policy, government regulations, Indian Agents, Indigenous communities, insurance, physical punishment, public opinion, public school education, runaway students, school closure, school governance, school inspections, school repairs, school reports, school rules, school supplies, staffing, statistics, student activities, student clothing, student death, student discharge, student families, student health, student holidays, student occupation, student recruitment, student retention, student support, student uniforms, 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. 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. They did however give the school special grants for repairs and for the installation of a hot water heating system. Students ran away frequently or failed to return after summer holidays or other leave and many of the letters relate to the enforcement of compulsory education regulations in order to bring the students back. Clothing is also a common topic as there was a low supply, but the Women’s Auxiliary often donated clothing as well as other items like books, toys, and candies. Many of the letters also deal with the fact that the school could not accept female students since Wawanosh had been closed in 1894 due to disrepair, and the plan King had for building a New Wawanosh on the Shingwauk site.

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

Physical Location
rec_shelfloc: 
2014-017-002
Repository: 
Algoma University Archive
Container Number: 
002
Geographic Access: 
Language: 
Description Level: 
Image: