It's official: the Hupacasath First Nation is the official owner of the former Gill School and surrounding lands.
The deal became final in April. The band council has not publicly revealed what their plans are for the building and surrounding land.
"We are deeply grateful to Chief Brandy Lauder and council for their unwavering leadership," a Hupacasath spokesperson posted on the nation's social media.
"This is a dream come true for the Nation, and it comes with many exciting opportunities for us to grow—together, as a community."
The school is built on the site of the ancient Hupacasath First Nation village of Ahahswinis. Gill School has been closed since 2015 when the Pacific Rim School District (SD70) reconfigured its grades and the elementary school was deemed extraneous.
The deal between the Hupacasath First Nation and school district took four years to complete.
People were at the school in early April clearing out items that had been left inside the building. The Hupacasath have not said what they intend to do with the school, calling it a "work in progress."
