Mohawk Institute Residential School Reopens After $26M Restoration
The Woodland Cultural Centre has successfully raised over $26 million to restore and reopen the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford, Ont. The project, initially estimated at $23 million, has transformed the site into a place of learning, reflection, and reconciliation. The facility will reopen to the public on Oct. 3.
The funding for this significant project came from a collaborative effort involving Indigenous organizations, local government bodies, and federal funding agencies in Canada. The reopening coincides with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the 10th anniversary of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
The Mohawk Institute, Canada's longest continuously running residential school, operated from 1828 to 1970. Today, it stands as an Interpretive Historic Site and Educational Resource, operated by the Woodland Cultural Centre. The centre aims to share the authentic history of residential schools and foster understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
A special task force has been using ground-penetrating radar to search for potential unmarked graves on the grounds. The Survivors Secretariat has confirmed dozens of deaths tied to the former Mohawk Institute. An investigation led by Ontario's Chief Coroner, Dirk Huyer, is currently underway to identify the deceased, their cause of death, and their burial location.
The reopening of the Mohawk Institute Residential School marks a significant step in the journey of truth, healing, and reconciliation. The site will offer self-guided and audio tours from Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., providing a space for reflection and learning about the history of residential schools in Canada.
