# Stó:lō Collective — llms.txt > Reclaiming Pekw’xe:yles for the future of Stó:lō communities. > Stó:lō Collective is a collaboration of twenty-one Stó:lō communities working together to determine the future of the former St. Mary’s Residential School site at Pekw’xe:yles in Mission, BC. --- ## Who We Are Stó:lō Collective is an Indigenous-led collaboration made up of **twenty-one Stó:lō communities** who share the lands at **Pekw’xe:yles (Peckquaylis)** in **Mission, British Columbia**, within **S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō territory)**. The Collective is focused on honouring the truth of what happened at St. Mary’s Residential School, supporting Survivors and their families, and planning the future of the former school buildings and lands through community-driven decision-making. The work is coordinated through the **Stó:lō Service Agency (SSA)**, which maintains the buildings and property on behalf of the communities while they guide all long-term decisions about the land. --- ## Core Pages & Sections - Homepage: https://www.stolocollective.ca/ Key sections (single-page experience): - History & Timeline: https://www.stolocollective.ca/#history-timeline - What’s Next: https://www.stolocollective.ca/#whats-next - News & Events / Updates: https://www.stolocollective.ca/#news-events - Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.stolocollective.ca/#faqs - Support & Crisis Resources: https://www.stolocollective.ca/#support - Contact: https://www.stolocollective.ca/#contact Other: - Privacy Policy: https://www.stolocollective.ca/privacy-policy *(If anchor IDs differ on launch, update these fragment URLs to match the live site.)* --- ## Context: Pekw’xe:yles and St. Mary’s Residential School The land now known as **Pekw’xe:yles (Peckquaylis)** has over 160 years of colonial history. It is one of the sites of **St. Mary’s Residential School**, which operated in three locations in the Mission, BC area from **1863 to 1984**, making it one of the longest-running residential schools in British Columbia. Key points from the site narrative: - St. Mary’s was run by the Catholic Church and operated under federal policy, including amendments to the **Indian Act** that allowed the government to forcibly remove Indigenous children from their families and require attendance at day or residential schools. - The current Pekw’xe:yles Reserve lands were developed as a “modern” school complex that opened in **1961**, with dormitories, classrooms, a chapel, gym, and staff residences. - The school portion later closed and became **St. Mary’s Student Residence**, housing Indigenous children who attended local public schools until final closure in **1984**. - In the decades since, the buildings have been used for daycares, preschools, offices, community programs, and administrative services, while the trauma and impact of the residential school system have continued to be felt by Survivors, families, and communities. Today, the site is shared by **21 Stó:lō communities**, and the buildings at Pekw’xe:yles are scheduled for **full deconstruction by 2027**, with cultural protocols guiding the process. --- ## History & Timeline (High-Level Overview) The Stó:lō Collective site includes a detailed, year-by-year timeline of colonial policy, land transfers, school operations, and community actions related to St. Mary’s and the surrounding lands. Key historical milestones highlighted on the site include: - **1861–1863** – The colonial government grants land to the Oblates for a mission and school; the first St. Mary’s Indian Residential School buildings are constructed near the Fraser River (outside the current Pekw’xe:yles site). - **1880s–1950s** – The school relocates to make way for the railway, overcrowding and disease (including tuberculosis) are documented, and additional facilities like a preventorium are built on the mission grounds. - **1920** – Amendments to the Indian Act give the federal government the authority to compel Indigenous children between certain ages to attend day or residential schools. - **1959–1961** – New lands are purchased for what becomes the Pekw’xe:yles Reserve, and a new residential school complex is constructed and opened in 1961. - **1968–1984** – The residential school function winds down; the facility operates as St. Mary’s Student Residence, continuing to house Indigenous students who attend local public schools until final closure in 1984. - **1990s–2000s** – Legal processes, Additions to Reserve (ATR), servicing agreements, and land-use planning are undertaken with the twenty-one Stó:lō communities. The land at St. Mary’s is formally added to the reserve base, and a Community Plan is created. - **2006–2008** – The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) is approved; St. Mary’s is recognized under the Agreement. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission and other healing and commemoration initiatives follow. - **2021** – Following the announcement of potential unmarked graves at Kamloops Indian Residential School, Stó:lō Nation Chiefs Council initiates investigations into missing children and potential unmarked burials at residential school sites within Stó:lō territory, including St. Mary’s. - **2022–2024** – Tenants at Pekw’xe:yles are informed that the future of the former residential school buildings is under discussion as part of reconciliation funding and demolition/remediation programs. Letters regarding leases are issued and planning for deconstruction begins. - **2027** – The buildings at Pekw’xe:yles are projected to be fully deconstructed, with cultural protocols and gatherings guiding the process. - **2028 (projected)** – A proposed interpretive centre is envisioned to open, honouring stories, truth-telling, and community priorities moving forward. The timeline emphasizes that demolition is **not an erasure of history**, but a step toward healing and repurposing the land in ways that reflect the priorities of Stó:lō communities. --- ## What’s Next The “What’s Next” section explains how Stó:lō Collective is: - Planning the **safe deconstruction** of the deteriorating, hazardous buildings at Pekw’xe:yles by 2027. - Ensuring **cultural protocols**, ceremonies, and gatherings are central to how the land is reclaimed, honoured, and prepared for new uses. - Engaging community members through meetings, updates, and opportunities for input on the long-term vision for the lands. - Recognizing that what comes next will be **decided collectively by the twenty-one Stó:lō communities** who share responsibility for this place. --- ## News, Events & Community Updates The **News & Events** section highlights: - Articles on the **history of Coqualeetza Hospital “Building 1”**, set in Ts’elxwéyeqw territory in S’ólh Téméxw, and its evolving uses over time. - Features such as “**Meet the Stó:lō People of the River – Our Story**” that share perspectives on Stó:lō history, identity, and reconciliation. - Updates like “**Overview of Shared Properties**” with information on Pekw’xe:yles (St. Mary’s), Coqualeetza, and Xá:ytem. - Meeting minutes summaries (for example, Stó:lō Collective – 21 Communities meetings) documenting community discussions and decisions. Visitors are encouraged to **view all articles and updates**, and those interested in tours of St. Mary’s are directed to **Stó:lō Tourism** for more information and bookings. --- ## FAQs ### Q: When did the school open? A: St. Mary’s Residential School first opened in **1863** near the Fraser River, marking the beginning of its long operation in the Mission, BC area. ### Q: When did it move to the current Pekw’xe:yles site? A: The school relocated to the current **Pekw’xe:yles Reserve site in 1961**, when a new, modern complex was built and opened. ### Q: When did the school close? A: Residential school operations at St. Mary’s ended and the **school/residence closed in 1984**. ### Q: When did the St. Mary’s site become reserve land? A: Through the **Additions to Reserve (ATR)** process, the land at St. Mary’s was formally designated as reserve land in **2005**. ### Q: Who cares for the property today? A: Care of the buildings and property is shared by **twenty-one Stó:lō communities**: Athélets, Chawathil, Xwchíyò:m, Kwantlen, Kwaw’Kwaw’Apilt, Leq’á:mel, Máthexwi, Popkum, Seabird Island, Shxw’ōwhámel, Shxwá:y, Sq’ewá:lxw, Sq’ewqéyl, Sqwá, Th’ewá:li, Sq’éwlets, Sxwoyehálá, Sts’ailes, Semá:th, Ch’íyáqtel, and Yeqwyeqwí:ws. ### Q: Who oversees the lands and buildings? A: The **Stó:lō Service Agency (SSA)** manages the property and buildings on behalf of the twenty-one communities, but does **not** act alone in making decisions that would permanently change how the land is used. Long-term decisions rest with the communities themselves. ### Q: When is the demolition scheduled? A: The demolition of the former school buildings at Pekw’xe:yles is **projected for 2027**, with cultural protocols guiding each step. ### Q: Were hazardous materials used in construction? A: Yes. As the buildings deteriorate, hazardous materials are becoming exposed. A detailed environmental assessment has been completed and informs a safety-focused deconstruction plan so the land can be safely reused. ### Q: How has the site been used since 1993? A: Since the early 1990s, the site has hosted **regional offices, daycares, preschools, and various community programs and businesses**, while also remaining a place of remembrance. ### Q: Are the grounds being searched for unmarked graves? A: Yes. Work is underway to investigate potential unmarked burials as part of broader efforts across Stó:lō territory. Further details are provided through Stó:lō Nation communications and linked resources. ### Q: Will cultural protocols be followed before demolition? A: Yes. The Stó:lō communities are planning **gatherings, ceremonies, and cultural events** to honour Survivors, families, and community members before and throughout the deconstruction process. Community members are welcome to request or host ceremonies through the contact channels provided. --- ## Support & Crisis Resources The site provides a dedicated **Support** section acknowledging that this history and ongoing work may be **re-traumatizing** for Survivors, families, and community members. It shares crisis lines and support services, including: - **Indian Residential School Survivors Society** – Toll-free support line. - **National Indian Residential School Crisis Line** – 24/7 crisis support for former Residential School Students. - **Métis Crisis Line** – Support services for Métis individuals across BC. - **Kuu-Us Crisis Line Society** – Crisis services for Indigenous people across British Columbia. - **Hope for Wellness Help Line** – Immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention via phone and online chat. Visitors are encouraged to reach out to these services **any time** support is needed. --- ## Contact A “Have A Question?” section invites: - Community members - Survivors and families - Visitors and allies …to reach out for more information, site access, updates, and opportunities to gather. **Contact details:** - General Email: info@stolocollective.ca - Website: https://www.stolocollective.ca/ --- ## Organisation & Legal - Name: **Stó:lō Collective** - Region: Stó:lō territory (S’ólh Téméxw), centred around Mission, British Columbia, Canada - Oversight: Stó:lō Service Agency (SSA), on behalf of twenty-one Stó:lō communities - Website: https://www.stolocollective.ca/ - Privacy Policy: https://www.stolocollective.ca/privacy-policy --- # SEO metadata (draft) ## Home / Main Page (/) **Title:** Stó:lō Collective | The Future of Pekw’xe:yles (St. Mary’s Site) **Description:** Stó:lō Collective is a collaboration of twenty-one Stó:lō communities guiding the future of the former St. Mary’s Residential School site at Pekw’xe:yles in Mission, BC through truth-telling, healing, and community-led planning. ## History & Timeline (#history-timeline) **Title:** History & Timeline of St. Mary’s and Pekw’xe:yles | Stó:lō Collective **Description:** Explore the history of the St. Mary’s Residential School sites, the impacts of colonial policy, and the land’s journey to becoming the Pekw’xe:yles Reserve shared by twenty-one Stó:lō communities. ## What’s Next (#whats-next) **Title:** What’s Next for Pekw’xe:yles | Stó:lō Collective **Description:** Learn how Stó:lō Collective is planning the safe deconstruction of former residential school buildings and preparing Pekw’xe:yles for future community-led uses rooted in culture, safety, and healing. ## News & Events (#news-events) **Title:** News, Events & Community Updates | Stó:lō Collective **Description:** Read updates, news articles, and event information about the future of Pekw’xe:yles, Coqualeetza, and Xá:ytem, and follow the ongoing work of Stó:lō Collective. ## FAQs (#faqs) **Title:** FAQs About St. Mary’s Site & Pekw’xe:yles | Stó:lō Collective **Description:** Find answers to common questions about the history, ownership, planned demolition, environmental safety, and community oversight of the former St. Mary’s Residential School site at Pekw’xe:yles. ## Support & Crisis Resources (#support) **Title:** Support & Residential School Crisis Resources | Stó:lō Collective **Description:** Access crisis lines and mental health supports for Survivors, families, and community members impacted by residential schools and the ongoing work at Pekw’xe:yles. ## Contact (#contact) **Title:** Contact Stó:lō Collective | Questions & Site Access **Description:** Get in touch with Stó:lō Collective for more information, site access, event requests, or questions about the future of Pekw’xe:yles. ## Privacy Policy (/privacy-policy) **Title:** Privacy Policy | Stó:lō Collective **Description:** Read how Stó:lō Collective collects, uses, and protects information shared through this website. --- ## How to Use This File - Upload this file to the root of the Stó:lō Collective Webflow project as **`llms.txt`**. - AI models and search systems can use this file to better understand: - Who Stó:lō Collective is - The history and context of Pekw’xe:yles and St. Mary’s - Key dates, processes, and community roles - FAQs and support resources - Update this file as new news articles, events, or future plans are published. - Ensure all internal URLs reflect the live domain: **https://www.stolocollective.ca**. # End of llms.txt