Post-war: Kirkland Lake Youth and Education

Even with entertaining distractions like television and rock ‘n roll in the 1960s to the youth in town, their parents stressed the importance of getting a good education. This was particularly true for immigrant parents, who wanted to see their children have more opportunities than they did. This was a point of family pride, and showed that they were successful in Canada.

Black and white photograph of six men in overalls with their equipment in front of them. They are standing in front of their van. A mine headframe is in the background.

Macassa Mine Rescue Team, 1957

As longtime local photographer Eddie Duke said,

“Many of the young people from Pigtown did well for themselves because their parents encouraged their children to get an education so that they wouldn’t end up as underground miners like many of their fathers.”

Kirkland Lake Collegiate and Vocational Institute was more than just the local high school with a reputation for academic excellence. It was practically a second home to the teenagers from town and neighbouring communities. It was also a unifying factor and became a part of their identity as much as their home life and cultural heritage.

Despite the wishes of their parents, dozens of young men ended up working at the mines after high school, or even leaving school early to join the workforce in the early 1960s.

Black and white photograph of a high school, a two-storey brick building with many windows. Snow is on the front lawn. Two telephone poles are at left side of picture, the front end of a white car is in the lower right corner.

Kirkland Lake Collegiate and Vocational Institute during the 1960s

Access to higher education was not always possible locally. A large portion of young people needed to move away from Kirkland Lake to pursue a post-secondary education. Most migrated to the larger cities of Southern Ontario. Life after college and university did not always mean a return to Kirkland Lake for a career.

Colour postcard of a large two-storey red brick building on a hill with a sign on front lawn. The signs says Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology - Kirkland Lake Campus.

Postcard of Northern College in Kirkland Lake when it opened in 1969

In attempts to diversify the local economy and to stop this outmigration of the youth, the Northern Ontario Institute of Technology and Northern College opened their doors in Kirkland Lake in the 1960s.

While this didn’t stop all students from leaving their hometown, it did manage to attract students from outside the area to attend school in Kirkland Lake. It also brought in professionals like teachers and instructors from outside the region.

The population continued to drop slowly, but for a small community, it was still able to offer much to the residents who remained – at least for a little while longer.

Post-War: Language and Culture Changing Times, Keeping Traditions