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Assumption (Hay Lakes) Indian Residential School
Assumption Indian Residential School (also called the Hay Lakes Residential School) was a part of the Canadian Indian Residential School System in Northwestern Alberta, Canada. The school was operated on the south end of the Hay Lakes reserve by the United Church of Canada and the Roman Catholic Church between 1951 and 1974.[1] HistoryAssumption School was established in 1951. Missionary Oblates and the Sisters of Providence taught and worked at the school.[2] Following the opening of a day school in the nearby community of Habay in 1962, the Assumption school increasingly served as a residence for students attending the day school. In 1965, Assumption began offering adult education classes to help Indigenous people "get the most out of what little they have."[3] Assumption received several "benefits" for allowing the oil industry to use its airstrip, land, roads, bridge and mobile phone.[4] The institution served as a boarding or residential school from 1951 until 1968 when converted to a day school.[5] In 1969, the Department of Indian Affairs took control of the residential schools in Canada. Assumption (Hay Lakes) Residential School and day school were later shut down in 1974. The children who were forced to attend Assumption were mostly members of the Dene Tha’ First Nation.[6] They were forced to follow the Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada’s indoctrination. It is currently unknown how many students were forced to attend Assumption Indian Residential School.[7] Health careNewspapers reported in June of 1960 that a doctor, nurse, X-ray technician and the head of Indian Affairs was traveling to various Indigenous bands and residential schools to X-ray them, looking for tuberculosis.[8] Student deathsTwo students at Assumption (Hay Lakes) Indian Residential School died: Lucie Semantha died on June 19, 1952 and Carmen Chonkolay died on December 19, 1968.[5] The causes of their deaths is currently unknown. References
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