Where are the Children?

As late as 1950 according to an Indian Affairs study over 40% of the teaching staff had no professional training. This is not to say that past experiences were all negative, or that all the staff was bad. Such is not the case. Many good and dedicated people worked in the system. Indeed, their willingness to work long hours in an atmosphere of stress and for meager wages was exploited by an administration determined to minimize costs. The staff not only taught, but they also supervised the children's work, play and personal care. Their hours were long and the pay below that of other educational institutions and the working conditions were exasperating.