Interpretive centre opens in former residential school

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In the early morning of June 19, bagpipes called in more than 50 people to witness a ceremonial event near Cranbrook.

The Ktunaxa Kinbasket Interpretive Centre, which is housed inside a former residential school, held its grand opening. The ceremony began with the bringing in of an eagle staff adorned with seven feathers representing the seven bands of the Ktunaxa Nation. A prayer song and an honour song were performed by the Sukni Singers, a local drum group.

Then a podium was unveiled with a picture on its face. The photograph is an historic image of when St. Eugene Mission was a residential school operated by the Catholic church. The photo depicts a procession in which a tall cross, affixed to a staff, was carried from the mission building.

Ironically, the interpretive centre's grand opening included carrying a staff into the building, but with the eagle feathers instead of a cross.

Chief Sophie Pierre and Kathryn Teneese, chief negotiator for the Ktunaxa Nation carried the eagle staff down through the elm alley, while the Sukni Singers performed an honour song. No ribbons were cut, but the gates were opened wide for the procession.

Pierre noted that, "In 1984, our late Elder Mary Paul said that since it was within the Kootenay Indian Residential School that the culture of the Kootenay Indian was taken away, that it should be within that building that it is returned."

The Ktunaxa Kinbasket Interpretive Centre is owned and operated by the Ktunaxa Kinbasket Tribal Council. Pierre stated, "This is our place for us to tell our stories."

The interpretive centre is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.