This series contains material related to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton, Ontario's mission to Red Lake, Ontario. Red Lake exists on the traditional lands of the Anishinaapek, specifically the Lac Seul and Wabauskang First Nations, and is within Treaty 3 territory. The records present include the mission annals, historical summaries, publications, photographs, reports, correspondence, meeting minutes, event schedules, and material from the memorial Mass for Rev. Joseph Chavely.
Bishop John O’Mara requested a pastoral team to serve the Diocese of Thunder Bay, specifically Red Lake, Balmertown, Ear Falls, and Pikangikum First Nation. Two Diocesan priests, a married couple, and three Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton, Ontario formed the team. Two Sisters arrived in Red Lake with the team on September 19, 1981. The third Sister, Sister Rose Gabriel, spent the first year of the mission studying the cultures of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada at Laurentian University in Sudbury. Eight other Sisters would also be involved in this mission over time. While based in Red Lake, they also worked in the surrounding area, primarily Balmertown, Ear Falls, Pikangikum First Nation, and occasionally North Spirit Lake First Nation. The Sisters in Red Lake worked as parish workers and administrators of St. John’s Church and St. Theresa’s Church, served in the field of healthcare, and were teachers and principals at St. John’s Elementary School. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton left Red Lake in 2002.
