Residential School

From a collection of Northwest Coast inspired artwork produced by First Nations children at the Alert Bay Residential School during the 1968 to 1969 school year. The works were also part of an exhibition of student drawings, displayed at the Charles Sanderson Library in Toronto during 1970. They were also featured briefly by one of the local television stations. Residential schools were operated by religious organizations and followed the regular provincial curriculum. The Alert Bay Residential School was operated by the Anglican Church of Canada. According to the Van Drielens, art was discouraged at the School because 'they couldn't make a living at it'.

Six black and white prints titled 'Residential School' in white pastel on a horizontally rectangular, black card. Prints depict scenes from inside residential schools and the buildings themselves. From the bottom left to the fourth at the top and the last two down to the right, the pictures are as follows: two totem poles in front a of a building; a building; two children standing in a room of beds; a child standing in a room of beds; children sitting on a bed; and a child working on something with a tv in the back. Poster is covered with clear plastic sheeting attached by masking tape.