1

Since the first school opened in a little log cabin on Howey Bay in 1931, schools have been the social focal point in the community.

2

Students at Red Lake's school
1934
Red Lake, Northwestern Ontario, Canada

3

Of course, classes took place during the week, but on Saturday nights, desks were pushed aside and the whole town got together to dance.

By Sunday, the same room was transformed into a church, as the local clergy set up a portable altar and conducted service. Until each congregation built their own church, this was common in many communities that developed around the area.

4

The first day of school in Red Lake
September, 1939
Red Lake, Northwestern Ontario, Canada

5

Traditionally, Aboriginal children learned differently with classes and life lessons outside of the classroom. They were taught through example and by listening to ancient stories told by elders.

When the Canadian government established residential schools, traditional knowledge, which formed an integral part of Aboriginal life, could no longer be passed on.

To help regain and preserve traditional lifestyles and values, Kaaren Dannenmann, a trapper from Trout Lake, and Celia Haig-Brown, Faculty of Education at York University in Toronto, have developed the Indigenous Knowledge Instructors' Program. Endorsed by the Assembly of First Nations and York University, this program offers instruction at Trout Lake, and practical work in surrounding communities. Graduates of the program work in the schools with students from Kindergarten to Grade 12.

"By learning traditional values and practices, students gain new respect for themselves and their heritage," said Ms. Dannenmann, who spent five years developing the program.

Today there are several educational facilities available, teaching more than 600 students in the area. Most recent is the Red Lake Madsen Public School in Red Lake and The Golden Learning Centre in Balmertown.

6

But of all the school day stories and events over the years, the most famous is the school trip of the century.

In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth traveled by train across Canada to solidify Canadian support for Britain on the eve of World War II. The response across the nation was phenomenal, as people traveled for miles to meet the train. Since the road connecting Red Lake to the Trans-Canada Highway was not yet built, the only way for people from Red Lake to attend was to travel by water, a distance of 180 miles.

On June 4th, courtesy of Starratt Airways and Transportation Company, 39 girls and 33 boys, ranging in age from eight to 16 years, along with their teachers, left Red Lake by boat and scow en route to Sioux Lookout to see their King and Queen.

Crossing over four marine railways through the night, they reached Ear Falls by noon the next day. After a lunch of "boiled dinner," they entered Lac Seul. Ninety miles of open water lay between them and Hudson. By mid afternoon a fierce wind blew up and the children were getting seasick. The captain decided to seek shelter behind an island, where they stayed for four hours.

The trip could have turned into a tragedy, as there were no life jackets on board. Fortunately they arrived safely in Hudson, then traveled the remaining 23 miles to Sioux Lookout on the back of open air trucks, and joined the crowd of 8,000 spectators. They were greeted warmly by the King and Queen, and interviewed by newspaper reporters about their journey-the trip of the century.