Mismanagement of Battleford Industrial School Under T. Clarke

By the early 1890s Rev. Thomas Clarke was receiving criticism for his mismanagement of students and school staff, particularly women. He was also criticized for his lack of fiscal responsibility. Indian affairs found Clarke to be "dictatorial", and his management style caused as much trouble with the staff as it did with the local Indigenous communities from whom students originated. Hayter Reed reported that the students were not being sufficiently disciplined nor advancing appropriately in their English-speaking skills. The Anglican church, particularly the Archbishop of Saskatchewan and Calgary, were of the opinion that the school was inadequate in its religious instruction. Coupled with alcoholism, these issues led to Clarke being fired form the position of principle in 1894.