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Kiʔsuʔk kyukyit qap̓i niskiⱡ

We are looking forward to hosting you at the St. Eugene Golf Resort Casino formerly the Kootenay Indian Residential School. Everyone is encouraged to bring memorabilia that will be showcased on the memorial wall.

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Address to Students in 2021

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The importance of acknowledging the atrocities of the past, seeking truth and working towards healing through our Cultural ways.

History of the Kootenay Residential School

The Kootenay Indian Residential School, composed of the St. Eugene was a part of the Canadian Indian residential school system and operated in Cranbrook, British Columbia between 1890 and 1970.[1]: 354 The school, run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate of the Roman Catholic Church, first opened in 1890. It was replaced by an industrial school in 1912 that continued to operate until it was closed in 1970.[2] Between 1912 and 1970, over 5,000 children from across British Columbia and Alberta attended the school.[3][nb 1]

The Roman Catholic missionaries in British Columbia expanded operations into what is now Canada.[7]: 98 Their first mission opened at Okanagan Lake in 1860 and a mission in the Kootenays opened in 1874.[7]: 98

The first school opened in 1890, just north of Cranbrook.[8] Operated by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and replaced in 1912 with a new brick building to room126 students.[5] The school principal Nicolas Coccola collected children from their home communities with no assistance from parents "unless coaxed and threatened."[7]: 275–276

The Canadian government took over operation of the school in 1969 and closed the facility in 1970.[8]

Through an Indigenous-led restoration project, the school building was converted to St. Eugene's Golf Resort and Casino.[6][11] The golf course opened in 2000, followed by a casino in 2002 and a hotel in 2003.[5]

The building has since been converted to the St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino since 2000.[5][6]

Orange Shirt Day

The Government of Canada passed legislation earlier this year to mark September 30th as a national day to recognize and reflect on the legacy and history of Canada’s residential school system and the irreparable harm it caused to our First Nations communities. As part of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action, Canada has since made September 30th the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

September 30th is also Orange Shirt Day across Canada. The date was specifically chosen to recognize the time of the year when Indigenous children were taken from their families and forced to attend residential schools across the country, many of whom would never see their families again.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission which ran from 2008-2015 and provided those directly and indirectly affected by the legacy of residential school policy an opportunity to share their stories and experiences and honours Indigenous children who never returned home from residential schools, as well as survivors, their families and their communities.

Juanita Eugene, an ʔaq̓am Community leader who inspired the idea for the walk, while joined by Ktunaxa youth passing under the archway of tree branches and onto Mission Road.