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Indian Residential Schools in the Yukon Territory

Choutla School



The Whitehorse Star, Thursday, July 3, 1969

Historical outline of Chooutla School, Carcross, Yukon


  • 1903 - Building bought for school on hotel side of bridge (from P.R. Peele). Exchanged same year (1904?) for RCMP barracks - cemetery side of bridge. Miss Ellis plus six children from Forty Mile came to Carcross.
  • 1906 - Bishop Bompas died; Hawksley, principal.
  • 1908 - Cost of new school est. at $16,000, 1909 - Miss Ellis left and Miss Collins became Matron.
  • 1911 - Archdeacon Canhim, Principal. Government built new school for 40 students, 160 acres of land, E.D. Evans appointed Principal, eight staff.
  • 1913 - Jan., first edition of Northern Lights - printed at and for school. E.D. Evans resigned due to ill health of daughter, Canham acting principal, Mr. & Mrs. C.F. Johnson came Oct., Rev. W.T. Townsend, new principal, arrives.
  • 1917 - Townsend leaves, Rev. A.C. Field comes as principal.
  • 1918 - A.C. Field leaves.
  • 1919 - Dr. Grassett-Smith arrives, accepted for two-year term.
  • 1921 - Dr. Grassett-Smith leaves. Rev. Walter Barlow, CMS, turns work over to MSCC, School to Indian and Eskimo Commission of MSCC.
  • 1925 - Rev. G.A. Bagshaw.
  • 1926 - Dec., Bagshaw leaves, Rev. W.H.L. West, rector of Christ Church, Whitehorse appointed principal.
  • 1927 - Mar., Rev. W. Tinney.
  • 1929 - J.H. Bryne, Principal.
  • 1930 - H.C.M. Grant.
  • 1939 - April, fire burns down school.
  • 1942 - Buildings provided by MSCC.
  • 1949 - J. Ellis, Principal.
  • 1951 - January, Rev. Stanger.
  • 1954 - New school taken over.
  • 1956 - New Sanctuary dedicated at chapel, Rev. E.S.W. Cole.
  • 1958 - Rev. G. Bullen.
  • 1960 - Sept., Grades V and up transferred to Whitehorse.
  • 1962 - Aug. D. Lawson.
  • 1964 - May M.C.F. Gibbs - June '69.