The remaining structures of a former residential school on Vancouver Island were brought down on Thursday in the presence of survivors and their families.
The Christie Residential School, which initially commenced operations in 1900 on Meares Island before moving to Tofino, B.C., in 1971, continued functioning until 1983, making it one of the last operational residential schools in British Columbia.
Survivor Bruce Lucas described the experience of returning to the school site as “intimidating” but ultimately beneficial for his well-being.
Prior to the use of heavy machinery, survivors engaged in dismantling parts of the school by throwing rocks and using crowbars. Lucas was given the honor of being the first to initiate the demolition of the buildings with an excavator.
The last remaining structures of the Christie Residential School on Meares Island near Tofino, B.C., were demolished in a ceremony attended by survivors aiming for healing.
“I still vividly remember my first day there,” recalled Lucas after the event. “I’m now 66, so it was about 60 years ago – how scared I was.”
While Lucas mentioned positive experiences such as engaging in sports, he highlighted the overall traumatic nature of his time there, laden with “many negative memories” that he is still processing.
“We were subjected to intense fear,” he expressed.
Over time, various parts of the school have been either demolished, relocated, or repurposed, with only a trio of outbuildings remaining at the original Meares Island location.
The Ahousaht Residential School Research team facilitated free ferry transport for former students to witness the demolition, organizing a healing ceremony and providing support.
“It was a painful environment to grow up in. I was barely seven years old when I arrived, and I spent eight years there,” shared former student Thomas Rush with CHEK News, present at the ceremony.
“Seeing it being torn down is comforting. I needed to be here today for closure. I hope to find it today.”
According to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the school was funded by the Canadian government and operated by various Roman Catholic orders under different names like the Kakawis Indian School, Tofino Hotel, and Christie Indian Industrial School.
The center has also listed the names of 46 children who passed away at the premises.
In 2021, the federally appointed Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation reported documenting <a href="