Item R00005178 - Building Maintenance, Supplies, and Accounts

St. George’s Indian Residential School (IRS) was located approximately 2 miles north of Lytton northeast of Vancouver. The IRS operated from 1901 - 1979 (78 years) and closed in June 1979.

Other names identifying the residential school included from 1901 - 1917, St. George’s Industrial School for Boys, St. George’s School, St. George’s Industrial School for Indian Boys, and Lytton Industrial School. From 1917 - 1968, the names included St. George’s Indian Residential School, St. George’s Industrial School, St. George’s Industrial School for Indian Boys and Girls, Lytton Indian Residential School, St. George’s, and Lytton Residential School. From 1968 - 1979, the names included St. George’s Student Residence and St. George’s Indian Residential School.

The Government of Canada was responsible for funding the school, which was managed and operated by The New England Company, the Church of England, from 1901 - 1922. After which the federal government took over management with the following New England Company stipulations a) that it be maintained for the education of Indian boys and girls; b) the pupils be trained in the Church of England doctrines; c) and the company had the right to appoint a Church of England principal, an assistant principal, and farm manager.

Information regarding which grades were taught at the IRS includes the following 1927, Aug High school classes offered at residential school. 1950 Lytton public school destroyed by fire; high school pupils temporarily taught at St. George’s IRS. 1969, Sept Grades 1 & 2 taught at St. George’s IRS; Grades 3 & 4 integrated into Lytton Elementary School.

Students from the following bands attended the IRS, as listed Aiyanish, Ashcroft, Bella Bella, Boothroyd, Boston Bar, Canyon City, Cape Mudge, Cardston, Carmacka, Cheam, Cisco, Coldwater, Cook’s Ferry, Deadman’s Creek, Fountain, Gitlakdamix, Glen Vowell, Greenville, Hazelton, Hope, Kanaka Bar, Kincolith, Kispiox, Kitamaat, Kitasoo, Kitkatla, Kitsumkaylum, Kitwancool, Kitwanga, Lakalsap, Lower Nicola, Lytton, Matsqui, Merritt, Moricetown, Musqueam, Nicoamen, Nicola, Nooaitch, Nooatch, Oregon Jack, Port Simpson, Prince Rupert, Seabird Island, Shacken, Shulus, Siska, Skuppah, Spences Bridge, Spuzzum, Squamish, Styne, Telegraph Creek, Union Bar, Upper Nicola, Zoht.

Statistics for student enrolment are fairly erratic, with a low of 42 in 1902 and a high of 225 in 1958 when enrolment started to decline until 1979 when enrolment was 45.