grounds of the first school. As part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's missing children residential school cemetery project, archeologists identified 42 grave sites in the cemetery associated with the newer St. John's Residential School building that operated from 1920 to 1948. The names of the students who are known to have died at the School are listed in the National Memorial Death Register. Student experience Students came to St. John's School largely from the Diocese of Moosonee region, including New Brunswick House, Chapleau Cree, Missanabie Cree First Nation, Fort Albany, Fort Frances, and Six Nations, Nipigon. As at residential schools across Canada, students at St. John's were forbidden from speaking their traditional Indigenous languages, and harsh punishments were used. Students attended school on a half-day system. From April 1 to June 30, 1908, seven students out of 31 died while attending the school for "unknown reasons". In 1921 many parents complained about the Rev. Prewer's role as principal and his treatment of students at the school. That year, over 150 people traveled to Chapleau to voice their complaints over the cruelty and neglect of the children at the school. Depositions were taken from some of these parents and as a result the offending principal was removed within a year Principals The following individuals served as principals of the St. John's Indian Residential School: **From July 1925 to May 1927, Rev. Gibson still held formal title of Principal, but due to illness Vice-Principal G.T. Snowden was appointed to take charge of the school. References Residential schools in Ontario First Nations education First Nations history Assimilation of indigenous peoples of North America