St. Benedict's Mission, White Earth Indian Reservation (White Earth Band of Ojibwe). One of the boarding school dormitories in the upper floors of the newly-built St. Benedict's Mission School. Unlike the crowded conditions of the early convent school at White Earth, the new school built in 1890 allowed ample space for sleeping quarters (Saint Benedict's Monastery Archives).
St. Benedict's Mission, White Earth Indian Reservation (White Earth Band of Ojibwe). Students pose with their handiwork in the work room of the newly-built school at St. Benedict's Mission. Domestic arts were considered important. So before and after school hours, the girls were taught to card wool and spin yarn with which they knitted their own stockings. They were taught plain and fancy sewing and took turns in assisting the sisters in the kitchen, laundry and dairy. Under Sister Philomena Ketten's supervision, the boys worked in the garden and helped on the farm with picking potatoes and raking hay. [SBMA, McDonald, p. 241]
St. Benedict's Mission, White Earth Indian Reservation (White Earth Band of Ojibwe). The newly-built school was completed in 1892. The school day at St. Benedict's School in White Earth was similar to that of any other American school with hours from 9:00 until 4:00 in teaching the basic learning skills. This daily rigid pattern was not a part of the American Indian culture and tested the endurance of both the students and teachers, but music and singing and manual work offered relief. [SBMA, McDonald, p. 241]
Red Lake, Leech Lake and White Earth Chiefs, taken in Washington, D.C. (Darwin S. Hall presented photo to White Earth Agency office, Arthur P. Foster presented to Becker County Historical Society.)
Catholic prayers, instructions, and hymns in the Dakota language, with music. Includes 26 hymns, most of which include the melody notated in treble clef. Illustrated with engravings. University of St. Thomas, Archibishop Ireland Memorial Library call number: PM1024 .H75 1899
Contributing Institution:
University of St. Thomas - Archbishop Ireland Memorial Library
This image was published in "Minnesota History," 49/3 Fall 1984, page 92. Original in the Archives of the Sisters of Mercy Provincialate in Omaha, Nebraska. Record Group 75. Exhibit WCSA 2000-2001.