1912 to 1970

Erected to expunge Ktunaxa First Nation language and culture in favour of English and Roman Catholicism, the imposing St. Eugene Mission residential school is now a native-owned luxury hotel, casino and golf resort. Inside, visit an interpretive centre that honours Ktunaxa history and renewal, as land and social rights are acknowledged by courts and governments.

The Ktunaxa language is linguistically isolated and native speakers have their own unique names for places and geographic features within their territory. The word ‘Kootenay’ is drived from the Ktunaxa word ‘Quthni’, meaning ‘to travel by water’.

After contact with 19th century fur traders and settlers, the Ktunaxa suffered huge losses after succumbing to European diseases to which they had no immunity. Subsequent mineral discoveries brought still more newcomers, along with new religions and a new language.

This centre provides visitors with a first hand look into the life of the Ktunaxa people pre-contact, contact and present. They also offer a glance at the Ktunaxa traditional territory, aboriginal perspective of the area, its history and its people. The building was once an Indian Industrial School from 1912 to 1970 and the only one in Canada converted into a destination resort.

Click on the video at left to hear Ktunaxa elder Liz Gravelle tell an ancient story of the Mount Mazama volcano nearly 8,000 years ago. Liz tells the story in her native Ktunaxa language, translated by subtitles.

At the St. Eugene Resort near Cranbrook, in a building that for 60 years housed a residential school for aboriginal children, the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre showcases contemporary aboriginal art, culture and heritage. Permanent displays include many historic photographs, a scale model of a traditional tipi and the sturgeon-nosed canoe.

Open year-round Monday to Friday

9-5pm; closed at noon for lunch

The centre is located on the lower level of the St. Eugene Resort. The St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino is located between the cities of Kimberley and Cranbrook, off of Hwy 95A. It's only five minutes from the Canadian Rockies International Airport (Cranbrook), ten minutes north of the City of Cranbrook and 20 minutes south of Kimberley.