Folder 2056025 - Pupils

Lejac Indian Residential School (IRS) was located initially at Stuart Lake, 45 miles from Vanderhoof, then relocated to the south side of Fraser Lake about 100 miles west of Prince George. The IRS operated from 1917 - 1976 (59 years) and closed on June 30, 1976.

Other names identifying the residential school, between 1917-1922, include Stuart Lake Boarding School, Fraser Lake Boarding School, and Fraser Lake Industrial School; from 1922 - 1931, Fraser Lake Indian Boarding School and Fraser Lake Indian Residential School; and from 1931 - 1976, Lejac Indian Residential School and Lejac Student Residence.

The Government of Canada was responsible for funding the school, which was managed and operated by the Roman Catholic Church from 1917 - 1969. On April 1, 1969, the federal government assumed the IRS's management and operation until it closed. In 1962, an agreement was signed between Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada and Indianescom (a company controlled by the Oblate Order) for the management and operation of the IRS. No information regarding which grades were taught at the IRS other than a May 26, 1956, newspaper article indicating that grades one to eight in two buildings - a new building and an older building.

Students from the following bands to attend the IRS: Atlin, Atlin-Teslin Lake, Babine, Bear Lake, Burns Lake, Carriers, Cheslatta, Dease Lake, Decker Lake, Findlay River, Finlay Forks, Finlay River, Forestdale/Forest Dale, Fort Connelly, Fort Babine, Fort Fraser, Fort George, Fort Grahame, Fort McLeod, Fort Nelson, Fort St. James, Fort Ware, Francis Lake, Francois Lake, Fraser Lake, Grand Rapids, Hagwilget, Hartley Bay, Hazelton, Houston, Hudson Hope, Ingenika, Kitselas, Kitwanga, Kluskus, Lake Babinell, Lake Babine, Lower Post, Manson Creek, Maxim Lake, McDame, McLeod, Moricetown, Mosim Lake, Nasko, Necosalie/Necoslie, North Takla, Old Fort, Omineca, Pinchi, Portage, Sekanis, Shelley/Shelly, Southbank, Squamish, Stella, Stellaquo/Stellaco, Stony Creek, Stuart Lake, Stuart- Trembleur Lake, Tache, Tachi, Tahltan, Takla Lake, Takla Landing, Tatcee, Telegraph Creek, Telkwa, Trembleur Lake, Trembly Lake, Tsitsk, Uncha Lake, Wistaria, Yacutcee.

Statistics for student enrolment are sporadic from 1917 - 1934, but student enrolment statistics are available every year from 1937 - 1975 except 1973. The IRS accommodated day school students from 1955 - 1974, ranging from 29 students in 1960 to 52 students in 1959, but statistics for 1967, 1970, 1972, and 1973 are missing.