The Spanish Indian Residential Schools was a set of single-sex Canadian Indian residential schools for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit children that operated in Spanish, Ontario from 1913 to 1965 by the Jesuit Fathers, the Daughters of the Heart of Mary, and the Government of Canada. The boys' school was the only residential school in Canada to be operated by the Jesuit order; likewise, the girls' was the only residential school operated by the Daughters order. Collectively, the Spanish schools formed the largest residential school in Ontario. History Early years Prior to the establishment of the residential school in Spanish, Ontario, the Jesuits operated a day school at Wiikwemkoong First Nation beginning in 1838. In 1862, the Wikwemikong Industrial School, Girls' Department opened. In 1878, the corresponding Boys' Department was opened by the Jesuits with assistance from the Canadian government. In 1883, the director Reverend Regis Beaudin wrote to the ministry of Indian affairs with an update of students performance and of the death of 3 boys in 1882. In 1885, both schools were destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt. The Canadian government approved the Wikimikong School for funding through the residential school system in 1884. The reason the decision was made to move the boys school to Spanish was there was a ”strike” by the native workers. They were asking for two dollars a day for their labour. Instead of giving in or negotiating, the Jesuits decided to move the school to Spanish. (Taken from parish records.) In 1911, the girls school at Wikwemikong burned down. At the same time a decision was made to move the boys school to Spanish, Ontario, as it was believed that there would be increased access to the school in Spanish given its location near the railway. The fire at the girls school resulted in the relocation of both schools to Spanish in 1913. St. Peter Claver School The St. Peter Claver School for Boys in Spanish, Ontario, was the only residential school in Canada operated by the Jesuit order. The school consisted of a large three-story stone building, as well as out buildings, including a barn, stable, machine sheds, saw mill, and storage buildings. Housing 180 boys, the school was located on a 600-acre site on the North Shore of Lake Huron. The Garnier High School, commonly referred to as Garnier College, was established in 1947 and operated out of the boys