Onion Lake, SK

Onion Lake, SK

Earlier called “Wehahuskooseya Sakayekun” (Stinking Grass Lake), the Onion Lake area was a popular meeting place in the 1700s and 1800s as wild onions grew there which were desired after a winter diet of meat. The area was also a popular meeting place as it was located on the Fort Carlton to Fort Edmonton trail. Onion Lake is under Treaty 6 which was signed by Chief Seekaskootch and Chief Makaoo in 1896. A Roman Catholic presence existed in Onion Lake as early as 1866 with the first mass conducted by Father Mérer. Father Marchand, who founded the mission in 1884, wanted to open a day school in 1885; however, a day school was not granted until 1888 when the mission was under Father Vachon. In 1891, the first three sisters to arrive to work at the mission included Sister St. Ignace, Sister St. Stainlas and Sister St. Patrice from the Sisters of the Assumption. With the arrival of the sisters, the first residential school was open in 1891 and was named St. Anthony’s. The first residential school was a 30’ x 18’ frame building which replaced the previous day school. The school was destroyed by fire in 1894 and a three-floor building, 35’ x 45’, was made in its place. The ground floor consisted of a classroom as well as the girls’ workroom and the second story was used as the dormitory with the girls and boys’ sections divided. The building served as the school until 1927 or 1928 when the building was destroyed by fire. A larger school, at a different site, referred to as ‘Le Chateau’ or ‘the White Castle’ by the nuns was opened in 1928 and closed in 1968.