Historical records created by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada (& its predecessors)

1. NORTHERN STUDIES
RESOURCE CENTRE

2. What is RG 10?
Record Group 10
• Historical records created by the
Department of Indian Affairs and Northern
Development Canada (& its predecessors)
• Primary resource – original documents,
unpublished material, contemporary account
of events
• Includes: files, correspondence, transcripts,
reports, letters, & photographs

3. Where do RG 10 records come from?
• Records originated from headquarters and
the field offices
• Most files are arranged by band, agency, or
district – ie. which field office was
responsible for administering each band
• Ex. Band: Rocky Bay (1960 – 1968)
• Agency: Port Arthur Agency
• Band: Rocky Bay (1968-1988)
• Agency: Lakehead District

4. How are RG 10 records
arranged?
Headquarters Records: contains the
following 4 series
Central Registry Files 1833-1974
Red Series (Eastern Canada) 1872-1964
Black Series (Western Canada) 1872-1959
School Files 1879-1953

5. RG 10 Headquarter Records
Central Registry Files Series (1833-1974)
Includes files relating to all aspects of Indian
Affairs
Ex. natural resources (mining & timber),
surveys, leases, housing, band elections,
band management, membership, health
services, law enforcement, claims &
disputes, band loans, community
development, irrigation, roads, agricultural
projects, etc

6. RG 10 Headquarter Records
Black Series Western Canada (1872-1959)
• Covers the administration of Indian Affairs in
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, North-
West Territories and British Columbia
Red Series Eastern Canada(1872-1964)
• Covers the administration of Indian Affairs in
eastern Canada

7. RG 10 Headquarter Records
Red & Black Series Contents:
correspondence, land sales &
purchases, paylists, timber
licenses, litigation, construction & upkeep of
buildings, disputes, behaviour of
members, elections, surveys, resolutions of
councils, band membership, appointments
of chief, estates/copies of wills, agent
reports, game & fishery, etc

8. RG 10 School Files
School Files (1879-1953)
• Records pertain to Indian school administration
throughout Canada
• Includes both residential schools & day schools
• Contains: admissions & discharges, monthly &
quarterly returns, correspondence, principal’s
monthly reports, school inspection reports,
teachers salaries, vocational training, medical
matters, deaths of pupils, school lands (maps &
plans), agricultural implements & machinery,
livestock, etc

9. Correspondence

10. School
Inspection
Reports

11. Teachers
Salaries

12. Principal’s
Monthly
Report

13. Principal’s
Monthly
Report
(pg.2)

14. Admissions
& Discharges

15. Application
for Admission

16. Application for
Admission
(pg.2)

17. Correspondence
re: Quarterly
Return

18. Original format of documents

19. How to search RG 10
• Use online index called ArchiviaNet
• Located on Library & Archives Canada
website
• Accessible from Library homepage under
Resources by Subject – Indigenous
Learning Libguide
• Find Journal Articles tab, then ArchiviaNet:
Government of Canada Files

20. Questions?....