USLCES History.

USLCES was incorporated under the Societies Act of BC in 1991 and is recognized by Revenue Canada as a charitable organization. Its foundation was an initiative of the Upper St̓át̓imc Education Committee.

• Current membership hails from the six Upper St̓át̓imc communities and other interested people from the Lillooet area.
• Since its inception in 1991 it has been the role of USLCES to preserve, revive and maintain the language and cultural heritage of the Northern St̓át̓imc. This is being accomplished mainly through language classes, and publishing culturally relevant teaching materials.
• Under the leadership of USLCES a number of successful initiatives have been launched to establish a special place: a facility dedicated to St̓át̓imc culture – a St̓át̓imc cultural centre.
• The lack of such a centre has been identified as a serious constraint on the Society’s programs and plans for the future. For example, post-secondary level language classes have had to be shuffled around town as space has been available.
• The return of St̓át̓imc cultural artefacts to the community is often dependent on a suitable facility for storage and display being available. No such facility currently exists.
• Local dance and drama groups practise and performance space is often hard to secure and seldom ideal.

To meet these needs, the Society is planning to develop a centre that will serve as a home to St̓át̓imc artefacts, archival materials, a publishing office for educational material, for language and cultural programs, theatre and dance groups and a gift shop featuring St̓át̓imc arts and crafts. As well, the Centre will provide a place for all local residents and visitors to share the unique experience of St̓át̓imc culture.