Christie Indian Residential School (IRS) opened in 1900 on Meares Island, off the west coast of Vancouver Island. The IRS operated from 1900 - 1983 (83 years) in two separate locations (Meares Island and Tofino) and closed on June 30, 1983.
The school was known by many names, including: Kakawis Indian School, Kakawis School, Kakawis IRS, Christie Industrial School, Clayoquoy School, Clayoquot Industrial School, Clayoquot (Bishop Christie) School, Clayoquot Boarding School, Clayoquot School, Indian Boarding School of Clayoquot, Clayoquot Indian Boarding School, Roman Catholic Christie Indian Boarding School, Bishop Christie Roman Catholic Boarding School, Christie Indian Industrial School, Christie’s Boarding School, Christie School, Christie Indian School, Christie Residential School, Christie Indian Residential School, Christie Student Residence, Tofino Hostel, Tofino Student Residence, Tofino School, and Christie Indian Student Residence.
The Government of Canada was responsible for funding the school, which was managed and operated by the following Roman Catholic Orders: Order of St. Benedict (1899 – 1938) and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (1938 – 1969). The federal government took over the management and operation of the IRS on April 1, 1969. In June 1971, the Christie IRS on Meares Island closed and in October 1971, the Christie Student Residence opened in Tofino.
The federal government continued to manage and operate the residence until 1974, and then again during the 1975 – 1976 school year. Chaplaincy service agreements were signed between the government and the Oblate Provincial in December 1971, September 1972, June 1973, and June 1974 to provide services to the resident students and staff at the IRS.
In September 1974, the West Coast District Council of Indian Chiefs led and operated the IRS as a student residence exclusively until its close in 1983.
Students were ‘recruited’ from the following bands to attend the IRS, as listed; Ahousaht, Chiclisat, Clayoquot, Cowichan, Ehattisaht, Hesquiaht, Keltsemet, Kyoquot, Moachat, Muchalat, Nitinat, Nootka, Nuchatlitz, Nuchatlaht, Opitsat, Pacheenaht, Pauquachin, Penelakut, Saanish, Sechelt, Sheshaht, Songhees, Squamish, Toquaht, Uchucklisaht, Ucluelet.
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1938-08-05
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2010 - 2015
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