Ne’nagwa̱’nakwa̱la is a survivor-oriented, community-based investigation of the St. Michael’s Indian Residential School in ‘Ya̱lis (Alert Bay), B.C. Ne’nagwa̱’nakwa̱la seeks to meet with Survivors of the St. Michael’s Residential School. Through gathering sacred testimony, it is our intention to fill in missing or incorrectly documented information as recorded in government and church archives with the lived experience of Survivors of Residential School. The primary goal of this Work is to support people and families in their journey to healing.
More about St. Michael’s…
In 1878, the Anglican Church established a mission in Alert Bay and worked to open a small boarding school by 1882. The boarding school was subsequently converted to an Industrial Residential School for boys in 1894. That same year, the Alert Bay Indian Girls Home opened with ten girls attending in its first year. The Indian Girls Home operated until 1905 at which time it closed for a brief period until re-opening in 1912. By 1924, it was clear that the Boys Industrial Residential School building was old, dilapidated, and a great cause for safety concern. In 1929, a new building was constructed, the St. Michael’s Indian Residential School, which amalgamated both the boy’s and the girl’s schools and created space for 200 live-in students. The St. Michael’s Indian Residential School operated until the 1950’s through the 1960’s at which time it was slowly converted to a student residence as the students began attending the Indian Day School and provincial schools. St. Michael’s Student Residence officially closed in 1974.
These institutions are referred to collectively as “St. Michael’s,” and are included in the scope of this investigation. Over the course of 70 years, children were removed from approximately 30 different home communities throughout coastal B.C. and were forcibly institutionalized at St. Michael’s, many of whom, did not return home.
“The theme was ‘Going Home.’ To me that meant finding your path. Whatever that might be. The water represents life, and the journey we take finding our roots. Our roots can sometimes be our genetic connections, a new family you create or become a part of, or a spiritual connection. The sisiutl (sisiyutł) represents transforming into who you are meant to be, And the animals and supernatural beings represents a small number of the possible paths one may take. The key being to trust the process, trust the connections to all things as you walk on mother earth. Trust in the ‘Na̱mwayut, that we are all one. You/we are never alone as we walk on mother earth, if you believe in your given connections to all things. ‘Na̱mwayut. We are all one.”
Artist Gus Cook
Project Components
Statement gathering;
Archival research, and;
Ground search activities;
Community Engagement.
These four components are grounded in a commitment to the mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of those impacted.
We are one of many such investigations being conducted nationally to pursue truth, healing, and accountability of the events and resultant multi-generational traumas associated with the Indian Residential School (IRS) system which operated across Canada between the years of 1831 and 1996.
In addition to supporting healing, a shared primary objective of IRS investigations is to identify, locate, contextualize, and honour the children who did not return home from Residential School. years of 1831 and 1996.
Counselling Supports
Counselling supports are available to Survivors and family members providing direct care. Counselling is available by phone or in person in Alert Bay. Counsellors are here to support you as we move forward in this process, particularly during difficult investigation milestones. We want to ensure that culturally appropriate and safe services are made available. Please reach out and we can support you directly or help with arranging supports.
Counselling supports may include:
Being available for statement gathering purposes
Pre-interview discussions around what the process looks like
Support after statements to ensure that the Elder has a circle of care
Supporting family members who are directly caring for an Elder and ensuring that they have the tools and skills to help their loved ones
Supporting at events and information sessions due to the sensitive nature of the topic
Ḵa̱pisga̱maxa Weekly Lunches
Our project is unique with our weekly luncheons for survivors of St. Michael’s. Each week survivors meet to share stories, teachings, suggestions on how to move forward in a good way, and feedback for our team. We value their guidance in moving forward with this project.
Our Team
Our team consists of a project manager, project assistant, archival researchers, counsellors, and a lead investigator. Please reach out at the contact below to be in touch with any of our team.
Crisis support for Indigenous people across British Columbia. Call toll free to 1-800-588-8717. Adult/Elders can call 250-723-4050. Youth can access supports at 1-800-588-8717.
Hope for Wellness Helpline
Immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention by phone or online chat. Call toll free at 1-855-242-3310 or begin a confidential online chat with a counsellor at www.hopeforwellness.ca
