Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) has released its What We Heard Report, a summary of extensive engagement with Survivors and their families to guide the future revitalization and commemoration of the former St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School site.
The Nation purchased 14 acres of the property in 2023 and began community consultations in 2024. Between April and June of this year, WLFN hosted seven engagement sessions — five in person and two online — in Williams Lake, Lillooet, Kamloops, and Quesnel. The sessions were designed to ensure that as many Survivors as possible could share their thoughts on how the site should look, feel, and honour those who attended.
Each session offered cultural and health supports through the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, local Elders, and WLFN staff. The Nation worked with Indigenous-owned Mahihkan Management to facilitate and record the discussions.
The resulting What We Heard Report reflects Survivors’ hopes and recommendations and will guide all future planning for the site’s revitalization. WLFN says this process ensures the voices of Survivors and their loved ones remain at the heart of commemoration and healing efforts.
