Lucy Margaret Baker
Encyclopedia
Lucy Baker was a teacher who became involved in teaching and missionary work the region of present day Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
.
Previous to her move to the Canadian west, Baker had a varied and successful career in education. In 1879 she accompanied her mentor, Donald Ross and his wife to Prince Albert. Ross was sent there by the Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church and he had chosen Lucy Baker to run the mission school. By 1884, a high school had been established named after Rev. James Nisbet
, a former Presbyterian missionary to the community. In 1887 Baker became a regular staff member of the Nisbet Academy.
By 1890, a school had been established for the groups of Sioux that had come to the Prince Albert area as refugees from the American Indian Wars
. This school was north of the North Saskatchewan River
and funded by the Presbyterian Church with the assistance of the Prince Albert community. Baker was the principal teacher and taught there, with a number of breaks for health reasons, until her retirement in 1905.
Baker made a significant contribution to western education in her endeavours with the Cree
and then the Sioux
of Prince Albert. She emphasized a solid curriculum with the principles of Protestant Christianity
at its core. She was the first woman to serve as missionary and teacher among the native people of the west for the Presbyterian Church. She also helped break down barriers for women involved in the development of western Canada
.
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
Prince Albert is the third-largest city in Saskatchewan, Canada. It is situated in the centre of the province on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. The city is known as the "Gateway to the North" because it is the last major centre along the route to the resources of northern Saskatchewan...
.
Previous to her move to the Canadian west, Baker had a varied and successful career in education. In 1879 she accompanied her mentor, Donald Ross and his wife to Prince Albert. Ross was sent there by the Foreign Missions Committee of the Presbyterian Church and he had chosen Lucy Baker to run the mission school. By 1884, a high school had been established named after Rev. James Nisbet
James Nisbet
James Nisbet was a Scottish born missionary to Canada.-Early life:He was born near Glasgow in Scotland, the youngest of 10 children. In 1840, he had travelled with his older brother, Henry, to London both seeking to serve as missionaries with the London Mission Society. Henry was accepted, and...
, a former Presbyterian missionary to the community. In 1887 Baker became a regular staff member of the Nisbet Academy.
By 1890, a school had been established for the groups of Sioux that had come to the Prince Albert area as refugees from the American Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
. This school was north of the North Saskatchewan River
North Saskatchewan River
The North Saskatchewan River is a glacier-fed river that flows east from the Canadian Rockies to central Saskatchewan. It is one of two major rivers that join to make up the Saskatchewan River....
and funded by the Presbyterian Church with the assistance of the Prince Albert community. Baker was the principal teacher and taught there, with a number of breaks for health reasons, until her retirement in 1905.
Baker made a significant contribution to western education in her endeavours with the Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
and then the Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
of Prince Albert. She emphasized a solid curriculum with the principles of Protestant Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
at its core. She was the first woman to serve as missionary and teacher among the native people of the west for the Presbyterian Church. She also helped break down barriers for women involved in the development of western Canada
Western Canada
Western Canada, also referred to as the Western provinces and commonly as the West, is a region of Canada that includes the four provinces west of the province of Ontario.- Provinces :...
.