A Difficult Past: The Era of Institutionalization in British Columbia –
In the not-so-distant past, children labeled as “handicapped” were routinely institutionalized across British Columbia. At the time, the provincial government took no responsibility for the education of children with developmental disabilities, and families were often advised to send their children to residential institutions—facilities that were isolated, overcrowded, and far removed from community life.
One of the most prominent institutions was located in New Westminster, originally named the Provincial Asylum for the Insane (pictured). It was later renamed Woodlands School, and became known simply as Woodlands. This facility, along with others such as Tranquille, Glendale, and the Endicott Centre, represented a system that segregated individuals with disabilities from society, often for life.
These institutions were built with the intention of providing care, but they also reflected a time when people with developmental disabilities were excluded from public life, denied education, and separated from their families and communities.
The legacy of institutionalization is a painful chapter in British Columbia’s history—one that has shaped the advocacy and progress of the community living movement. It was in response to this system that families began organizing, demanding better options and creating community-based supports that laid the foundation for organizations like Inclusion Chilliwack Society.
Today, we remember this history not to dwell on the past, but to honour those who endured it and to reaffirm our commitment to building a future rooted in dignity, inclusion, and belonging for all.
In 2024, ICS was proud to co-present a powerful and thought-provoking exhibition at the Chilliwack Museum titled Our Journey for Inclusion: 70 Years of Innovation. Here is a video snippet of the tour, presented by Sarah Belley of the Chilliwack Museum and Archives: