SURVIVORS Society
(formerly the Provincial Residential School Project)
B.C. Residential Schools
In 1863, St. Mary's Mission was the first residential school to open in B.C. It was also the last school to close in 1984. Between those dates, at least 14 other residential schools and 10 boarding schools opened. This meant that B.C. had more residential schools than the other provinces. Over the years, all school-aged First Nations children in this province were targeted for removal from their homes to these schools.
Children who went to residential school suffered a loss of culture, identity, language, family and more. Their only models on how to live, and have relationships, came in the form of institutional rules and school staff and clergy. In addition, the children were treated as second class citizens or worse and were taught to farm and sew, etc. and many did not even receive a basic education.
Clothing, food and living conditions were often sub-standard and screening of school staff was minimal, leaving the children vulnerable to many kinds of abuse and neglect. The impact of this mistreatment was a silencing of young and innocent voices. Now, finally, those voices are speaking out and telling their stories - they can, finally, release some of the pain and start the journey of healing.
|
|
| Place | Name | Dates Operated | Organization |
| Alert Bay | St. Michael's | 1929-1975 | A |
| Chemainus | Kuper Island | 1890-1975 | R.C. |
| Cranbrook | St. Eugene's | 1898-1970 | R.C. |
| Fraser Lake | Lejac | 1910-1976 | R.C. |
| Kamloops | Kamloops | 1890-1978 | R.C. |
| Lower Post | Lower Post | 1951-1975 | R.C. |
| Lytton | St. George's | 1901-1979 | A |
| Metlakatla | Metlakatla | 1873-1889 &
1889-1908 |
A/M (Weslayan Soc.) |
| Mission | St. Mary's | 1861-1984 | R.C. |
| North Vancouver | St. Francis/Squamish | 1898-1959 | R.C. |
| Port Alberni | Alberni | 1920-1973 | U |
| Sardis | Coqualeetza | 1861-1866;
1866-1940 |
M (Weslayan Soc.) |
| Sechelt | Sechelt | 1912-1975 | R.C. |
| Tofino | Christie/Kakawis | 1900-1983 | R.C. |
| Williams Lake | Cariboo/St. Josephs Mission | 1890-1953;
1953-1981 |
R.C. |
A - Anglican
M - Methodist
R.C. - Roman Catholic
U - United Church
*This list is based on information from the Department of Indian Affairs and RCMP research. If you attended a school that is not on this list, please let us know.
|
|
| Place | Name | Dates Operated | Organization |
| Ahousaht | Ahousaht | 1903-1907 | P |
| Alberni | Alberni | 1909-1920's | P |
| Alert Bay | Alert Bay (Girl's home) | 1888-1905 | A |
| Kitamaat | Elizabeth Long Memorial | 1922-19?? (closing date unknown) | M |
| Port Simpson | Girl's Home | 1893-1920's | M |
| Port Simpson | Boy's home | 1903-1920's | M |
| Yale | All Hallows | 1889-1918 | A |
A - Anglican
M - Methodist
R.C. - Roman Catholic
P - Presbyterian
In 1923, the name of the schools changed from Boarding Schools to
Industrial/Residential Schools. Again, our list may be incomplete.
Legal Notice
© All contents are copyright 1998 - 2008
No material from this site may be reproduced, modified, republished,
transmitted or distributed in any way without the owner's prior approval.
All Rights Reserved by Tehaliwaskenhas Bob Kennedy
This is a Native Owned and Operated Web Site
BC Residential Schools