The Mohawk Institute was established in 1831 for children of the Six Nations Iroquois living on the Grand River. Pupils from other native communities in Ontario attended the school as well. Like all Canadian residential schools, the Mohawk Institute tried to assimilate its students into the rapidly growing Euro-Canadian society. To that end, it disregarded native cultural traditions and stressed instead Christian teachings, English-language instruction, and manual labour skills. This building was constructed in 1904 after fire destroyed the previous school. When the Institute closed in 1970, the building reverted to the Six Nations of the Grand River. It then became a centre for the renaissance of First Nations cultures.

Location

In front of the former institute, now the Woodland Cultural Centre, 184 Mohawk Street, Brantford

Themes

• Buildings and structures
• Education
• First Nations