Great Falls Museum Opened St. Peter's Mission Exhibit

A new exhibit at the History Museum and Research Center explores the history of a local Catholic Indian boarding school.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Historical

Great Falls Museum Opened St. Peter's Mission Exhibit

The History Museum and Research Center in Great Falls has launched a new exhibit detailing the history of St. Peter's Mission. This off-reservation Catholic Indian mission boarding school, once located north of the city, is now the focus of a deep archival study.

Why it matters

The exhibit provides a clearer look at the legacy of the boarding school system in Montana. By incorporating both institutional and personal narratives, the collection aims to document the complex history of those who attended.

The exhibit highlights the tenure of Louis Riel, who taught at St. Peter's Mission before he led the North West Rebellion. The museum utilizes archival documents and oral histories to reconstruct the experience of the school.

The players

History Museum and Research Center

This Great Falls institution is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the cultural and historical heritage of Montana.

Louis Riel

A notable historical figure who served as a teacher at St. Peter's Mission and later directed the North West Rebellion.

The details

The museum display draws on newly obtained Catholic Church records alongside testimony from survivors of the boarding school. It provides a comprehensive look at the school's operations and the lives of those who worked and studied there.

The exhibit opened to the public on October 9, 2026.

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Culture Shift

This exhibition follows a pattern set by ongoing efforts to document the history of the Indian boarding school system in North America. It reflects a wider cultural shift toward prioritizing survivor testimony and church archives to address previously obscured regional histories.

Residents can visit the museum to engage with these newly presented records and oral histories firsthand. The exhibit offers a tangible way for the local community to connect with and learn about the history of the St. Peter's Mission site.

The takeaway

Understanding the personal narratives behind regional boarding schools helps build a more complete picture of local history. Visitors are encouraged to engage with both the written records and the oral testimony to appreciate the complexity of the events documented.