St. George’s Indian Residential School, Lytton, BC, [Lytton Indian Residential School,] 1902-1969, Diocese of Cariboo, Authorized Enrolment – 40 to 180. *
Note: * Residential Schools funded and administered by the New England Company.
Compiled by General Synod Archives July 24, 2008.
- 1960s: Most students in residence at St. George’s attend provincial elementary and secondary schools in Lytton. Regular school bus service established in 1962.
- 1969 Apr. 1: Government takes over other church run residential schools and hostels in Canada. Lytton facility (government run since 1922) is renamed St. George’s Student Residence and liaison ceases with Diocese of Cariboo over hiring matters. However, the government continues the practice of hiring Anglican chaplains for the hostel until closing date is determined.
- 1970: Government orders remaining school farming operations at St. George’s to end. Since 1963, the church was permitted to manage the small farm and run it as a profit centre. Farmland is subsequently leased to private individuals.
- 1970s: Enrolment declines as students from the Nass Valley, Hazelton and Kitimat areas are phased out, as these children are and will be attending days schools close to their communities. By 1976, most students in residence are from the local Lytton Band, with a few from the Thompson valley.
- 1979: St. George’s Student Residence closes July 31. Property (including former farm lands) is set aside for the use of the Lytton Indian Band who remains undecided over possible future use of the hostel building. To accommodate displaced residents of the Lytton Hostel, the government constructs houses on the Nuuautin No. 2 and Inkluckcheen No. 21 Reserves as family dwellings for these children and parents.
- 1982 Nov.: Hostel building destroyed by fire.
