In Class Activity
Analyze a primary source with your group
NOTE: This source references residential schools and discriminatory treatment of Indigenous people.
Following is an example of a primary source, a letter written in 1935 by W.P L’Heureux, an Indian Agent, to J.H. McIntosh, Esq. and references how the agent has reacted to an indigenous parent who has removed their children from the Wabasca R.C. School residential school.
For this in class activity, follow these steps:
- In your group, read the letter (a transcript of the letter appears below the image, as the scan of the image itself is relatively low quality).
- Using any journals, newspaper, or other online sources from the TMU Library, or on the web in general, search for reliable information you think might be useful in analyzing this source
- To find contextual information, try searching for news stories about this letter, for the names mentioned, the government agency it is related to, the school mentioned, residential schools in Canada, etc.
- Use the tips and tools in the Analyze Sources section of this guide, including the Material Analysis Sheet to see what questions to consider (a physical copy of the sheet will be handed out)
- Answer the questions suggested to help analyze this source. You don’t have to answer all the questions, just the ones that relate to the document you’re looking at.
- Record your findings on the Jamboard
- Be sure to decide who in your group will report back to the rest of the group.
Source: APTN Investigates. (2014, October 1). The power of the Indian Agent. Found this letter posted on facebook today. It's dated 1935 from an Indian Agent... [Image attached] [status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/APTNInvestigates/photos/a.10150474101980881.364105.167476650880/10152297230830881
Letter transcript:
Office of Indian Affairs
Canada
Office of Indian Agent
J.H. McIntosh, Esq.,
Calling Lake,
Alta.
Driftpile,
Alberta,
July 24th, 1935
Dear Sir,
Last winter J.B. Gambler, an Indian of Calling Lake, has taken his children away from the Wabasca R.C. School without the assent of the Principal and when the Magistrate acting as Truant Officer went to him to regain possession of the children he used abusive language and threatened to shoot him.
As the above mentioned J.B. Gambler is in receipt of a monthly ration, I have to order that the same be cut off entirely until such time as I am able to reverse my decision. This cannot be expected until the children are back at school at Wabasca and Gambler’s amends presented to the Principal and Magistrate there.
Your account dated 7th of July is being passed as submitted.
Yours faithfully,
W.P L’Heureux,
Indian Agent.