aiyanatwigg
Visit St. Eugene Mission Resort, which was formerly an Indian Residential School
British Columbia, Canada
St. Eugene Mission was first established as an Indian Residential School in 1910. It was one of the first comprehensive Indian “industrial and residential” schools to be built in the West. At the time, it was one of the largest buildings in the B.C interior. The residential school is located on one of the five Ktunaxa bands, St. Mary’s reserve, located north of Cranbrook, British Columbia. The residential school was officially closed in 1970. It was in operation for 60 years, where Ktunaxa (Kootenay), Secwepmc (Shuswap), Syilx (Okanagan), and Blackfoot children were taken and attended. 5,000 children were instructed at the Mission.
aiyanatwigg
St. Eugene Mission was first established as a residential school in 1910 and closed in 1970
British Columbia, Canada
St. Eugene Mission was first established as an Indian Residential School in 1910. It was one of the first comprehensive Indian “industrial and residential” schools to be built in the West. At the time, it was one of the largest buildings in the B.C interior. The residential school is located on one of the five Ktunaxa bands, St. Mary’s reserve, located north of Cranbrook, British Columbia. The residential school was officially closed in 1970. It was in operation for 60 years, where Ktunaxa (Kootenay), Secwepmc (Shuswap), Syilx (Okanagan), and Blackfoot children were taken and attended. 5,000 children were instructed at the Mission.
aiyanatwigg
Means ‘children’ in Ktunaxa. This statue is dedicated to all children who attended residential school
British Columbia, Canada
St. Eugene Mission was first established as an Indian Residential School in 1910. It was one of the first comprehensive Indian “industrial and residential” schools to be built in the West. At the time, it was one of the largest buildings in the B.C interior. The residential school is located on one of the five Ktunaxa bands, St. Mary’s reserve, located north of Cranbrook, British Columbia. The residential school was officially closed in 1970. It was in operation for 60 years, where Ktunaxa (Kootenay), Secwepmc (Shuswap), Syilx (Okanagan), and Blackfoot children were taken and attended. 5,000 children were instructed at the Mission.
aiyanatwigg
Since it’s closure, the mission has been transformed into a resort
British Columbia, Canada
After the mission was shut down in 1970, the building and entire mission area remained unoccupied. It was Elder Mary Paul who said, “Since it was within the St. Eugene Mission School that the culture of the Kootenay Indian was taken away, it should be within that building that it is returned.” Former Chief of the St. Mary’s reserve, Sophie Pierre, ensured that Elder Mary Paul’s wishes would not be forgotten. During her time as chief the discussion of transforming the mission into a resort began to surface. For many, it was a difficult discussion to have but with a referendum vote amongst the five Ktunaxa bands, it was a miraculous vote to transform the mission into a resort. Many agreed that rather than tearing down the school, it could be a chance to reclaim their identity, culture, history, and language, but most importantly to speak the truth and educate others about what really happened. Both a place to educate, and an economic investment, the mission would be a transformative project for the Ktunaxa. The mission was renovated for over 10 years, and it was officially opened in 2003. It now includes the hotel, golf course, casino, and RV park. During its first development, the Ktunaxa were not able to fully own it, but in June 2017, the mission resort is now owned by all five Ktunaxa bands.
aiyanatwigg
Visit the Interpretive Center to learn about the history, culture, and language of the Ktunaxa people
British Columbia, Canada
The main purpose for the Ktunaxa to transform the mission into a resort was to reclaim it. It has been a place to reclaim their identity, culture, history, and language, while also educating non-Indigenous people about the deep-rooted colonial history that has impacted the Ktunaxa people. The Interpretive Center offers tours by Ktunaxa people to educate those about the history of the building, and who the Ktunaxa people are. Within the interpretive Center, you will find artifacts from the Ktunaxa people, arts, and crafts, and during the tour they will present a movie to guests about the history of the area.
aiyanatwigg
And attend a tour offered by the interpretive center
British Columbia, Canada
The main purpose for the Ktunaxa to transform the mission into a resort was to reclaim it. It has been a place to reclaim their identity, culture, history, and language, while also educating non-Indigenous people about the deep-rooted colonial history that has impacted the Ktunaxa people. The Interpretive Center offers tours by Ktunaxa people to educate those about the history of the building, and who the Ktunaxa people are. Within the interpretive Center, you will find artifacts from the Ktunaxa people, arts, and crafts, and during the tour they will present a movie to guests about the history of the area.
aiyanatwigg
Every part of the building contains deep rooted history to be learned
British Columbia, Canada
The hallways of the mission have many photos and artifacts which provide a history of the building and the mission. Take a stroll anywhere at St. Eugene and you will learn something new. I am Ktunaxa myself, I grew up on reserve, and hearing about how far St. Eugene has come has been truly an honour to watch and learn. My mother was involved in the process of transforming it into a resort, and today I am proud that we kept the mission, which is a part of our history. It has been a way for many people to reclaim their identity and learn their history. I hope that you will also join and learn.