Mohawk Institute Residential School, Former residential school in Brantford, Canada
The Mohawk Institute Residential School was an educational facility built on farmland, combining classrooms with agricultural operations where Indigenous students worked and studied. The compound functioned as a self-contained system where learning and farm labor were integrated throughout the day.
It was founded in 1831 by the Anglican Church and became the first residential school in Canada, initially admitting only boys before expanding in 1834. This facility set the model that would be replicated across the country for generations.
The place suppressed Indigenous languages and customs while forcing European values upon students from many nations. Today, visitors can see how this cultural erasure affected entire communities and shaped the experiences of those who were sent here.
The site now houses the Woodland Cultural Centre, where you can explore exhibits and programs explaining the school system and Indigenous heritage. The location provides space to learn about the institution's history and its lasting effects on communities.
Students nicknamed it 'The Mush Hole' because of the regular serving of porridge, a reference to how meager their daily food was. This name became a way for students to express their reality through humor and shared understanding.
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