In 1864, the pioneering Sisters of St. Ann acquired a 400-acre farm and opened a boarding school for First Nations' girls (1864-1876), which was later enlarged to make room for orphaned, (Indigenous and non Indigenous), girls from Victoria. In 1904, the school became a boarding school for boys, (Indigenous and non Indigenous). In 1921, a larger school building was built and the number of students was increased.  In 1950, girls, (Indigenous and non Indigenous), were enrolled as externs and the student population grew to over 100.  In 1956, the school became a day school for girls and boys, (Indigenous and non Indigenous).  The school closed in 1964 and both students and teachers moved to the current Queen of Angels school site.

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The 1960s and1970s was a period of change in much of the world.  Social shifts encouraged efforts in building community and establishing a better way of working together.  It was in this historical period when a group of people with varied backgrounds and interests got together to discuss the creation of purposeful community at the old school and farm.