Shingwauk Hall at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie is a former residential school. The residential school was open from 1873 – 1970.  Algoma University and The Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association have created The Shingwauk Residential School Centre to raise awareness of the history of Shingwauk Hall.

The Shingwauk school was originally created by the great Ojibway Chief Shingwaukonse. His vision was a cross-cultural school that incorporated traditional Indigenous knowledge with European knowledge. It first opened in 1833 under this vision. By 1873 it had been changed to an Industrial home and later, in 1935, a residential school. Quite a departure from Shingwaukonse’s original vision.

The Shingwauk project began in 1979. It’s purpose is to:

“research, collect, preserve and display the history of residential schools; develop and deliver projects of ‘sharing, healing and learning’ in relation to the impact of the Schools and of individual and community cultural restoration; and accomplish ‘the true realization of Chief Shingwauk’s vision’.”

This project is a partnership between the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association, the National Residential School Survivors’ Society, Algoma University, the Anglican Church, the Shingwauk Education Trust and the Dan Pine Healing Lodge.

This project has created the Residential Schools Centre which works with the University’s library to store, catalogue and display residential school artefacts, photographs and documents.