Kitimaat Indian Residential School (IRS) was located on the Kitimaat Reserve on Douglas Channel in Kitimaat. The IRS operated from 1908 - 1941 (33 years) and closed on June 30, 1941.
Other names identifying the residential school include Elizabeth Long Memorial Home, Kitimaat Indian Girls’ Home, Kitimaat Indian Boarding School, Kitimaat Boarding Home and Day School, Kitamaat Indian Residential School, and Kitamaat Home for Indian Children (no dates identified).
The Government of Canada was responsible for funding the school, which was managed and operated by the Women’s Missionary Society of the Methodist Church/United Church. In 1911, an agreement was signed between the Department and the Methodist Church for a per capita grant for 30 pupils.
No information regarding which grades were taught at the IRS exists.
Students from the following bands attended the IRS: Kitimaat, Bella Coola, Kemano, Kitlope (Kitelope), Klemtu, Bella Bella.
Between 1899 and approximately 1909, only girls were at Kitimaat IRS. After 1909, there were always more girls than boys at the IRS; boys were transferred to another school upon turning 12. After 1934, boys were transferred to another school when they turned 10.
Statistics for student enrolment are sporadic from 1893 - 1906, but student enrolment statistics are available every year from 1909 - 1940.
After a fire in 1906, the IRS is re-built and opens on December 10, 1909. The three-story wooden school building has accommodation for 35 students, but it was over-capacity in 1910 with 45 students. In 1914, the IRS had a capacity for 30 pupils; however, the school was over-capacity for 22 of its remaining 27 years of operation, indicating over-crowding.
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1906-1932
1906-1932
1906-1932
1906-1932
1906-1932
1906-1932
1906-1932
1911-1938
1911-1938
1911-1938
1911-1938
1911-1938
1911-1938
1911-1938
1911-1938
1933-1950
1933-1950
1939-1946
1939-1946
Unknown date
Unknown date
2010 - 2015