Akaitcho Hall Gathering

Thank you to everyone who joined us to talk about the history and legacy of Akaitcho Hall.

The NWT Art Centre Initiative (NWTACI) hosted two public gatherings in June 2025 focused on the history and legacy of Akaitcho Hall. This was done because NWTACI has identified the old Akaitcho Hall site as a preferred location for the construction of a new art gallery and community centre.

Operating from 1958 to 1994, Akaitcho Hall was a residence for children from across the North who attended the neighbouring Sr John Franklin School. Akaitcho Hall is one of the institutions recognized in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA). It was run by the Federal government until 1969 when it was transferred to the Territorial government. Akaitcho Hall was one of the last residential schools to close (1994). The building was demolished in 2007.

Before moving forward, we wanted to engage survivors of Akaitcho Hall and the general public in a conversation about:

1) whether or not an art centre at the Akaicho Hall site was a good idea, and

2) how an art centre could respectfully honour the legacy of Akaitcho Hall, once constructed. 

To do this, we hosted one in-person gathering in Yellowknife because Akaitcho Hall was located here and it will be the future location of the new art centre. Students from across the Canadian North lived at Akaitcho Hall, so we also hosted a virtual gathering to be accessible to former students and interested community members outside of Yellowknife.

Each gathering featured an expert and Survivor panel to share knowledge about Akaitcho Hall, and opportunity to share responses to the question: How can or should the history and legacy of Akaitcho Hall and the experiences of former students be included in a future art centre?

Bob Overvold speaks at the Akaitcho Hall Gathering in Yellowknife, June 17, 2025. Seated at the table are Margaret Begg (L) and Crystal Fraser (R). Photo by Bill Braden.

Screenshot from the virtual Akaitcho Hall gathering, June 25, 2025.

Key takeaways

These were impactful events, full of important information and meaningful connections. Based on what we have learned, we will move forward with plans for an art centre at the old Akaitcho Hall site. These are some of the messages and outcomes that are key for the NWTACI going forward:

  • There is no easy or straightforward narrative: The experiences of Akaitcho Hall survivors are diverse and the legacy of the site is complex and polarized with positive and negative experiences shared;

  • Overall, there was clear support for use of the Akaitcho Hall site as a cultural and artistic space;

  • There needs to be an acknowledgement of Akaitcho Hall in any future development at the site;

  • There are links between an art centre and the experiences of those who lived at Akaicho Hall and developed their creative skills as artists and musicians;

  • There are many stories still to tell about Akaitcho Hall and there seems to be an appetite to continue to gather around its history and legacy;

  • The NWTACI has the opportunity to participate in meaningful action towards reconciliation through this project; 

  • Future work needs to be grounded in community, and especially in the experiences and knowledge of Survivors of Akaitcho Hall.


Gratitude

Mahsi cho Bob Overvold, Gerri Sharpe, Margaret Begg, and Bob Aknavigak for generously sharing about your experiences at Akaitcho Hall. Hai’ choo Crystal Fraser for your support of these gatherings and for sharing your knowledge about the history of Akaitcho Hall. 

Thank you Roy Erasmus, Jean Erasmus, and Natasha Harris with Dene Wellness Warriors for providing wellness supports. 

Thank you to Cody Fennell for the amazing graphic summary of both events. 

Thank you to Christina Moore and volunteers from the Hazhǫ Ełexè Łets’eèzhe youth program.

Thank you Bill Braden for taking photos of the in-person gathering in Yellowknife.

Mahsi cho William Greenland, Paul Andrew, and the YKDFN drummers for providing prayers to open and close the gatherings.

Shoes left at Sir John High School near the former location of Akaitcho Hall to honour the memory of the 215 children buried at Kamloops Residential School 2021, Francis Tessier-Burns/CKLB

Former location of Akaitcho Hall, 2025. Photo by Joshua Sayong Photography.

Please get in touch with sara.komarnisky@nwtartcentre.ca with any comments or questions.

If you find you are struggling with the residential school content on this page, there is help available:

Richard Charlo on the steps of Akaitcho Hall, 1983. Photo by Dorothy Chocolate. NWT Archives/Native Communications Society fonds - Native Press photograph collection/N-2018-010: 11771

Graphic Recording
Artist Cody Fennell attended both gatherings as graphic recorder. He took notes at both events and reviewed NWTACI notes and recordings from the gatherings to produce a graphic summary. The document he created tells the story of the gatherings in an illustrated narrative format. Download a copy HERE.