The Legacy of the Stickney Home

Stickney Home is one of the most beautiful and interesting spots in our vicinity, so it seemed to us that it might be interesting to our readers to review the history of the Home, and tell what it is doing at the present time. In the early sixties, Rev. Tait, a Missionary to the Chilliwack Indians of British Columbia, led by his faithful Indian guide, Captain John, found his way to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Judson, the only white settlers then living in this part of the Nooksack Valley. A few days after their arrival, the first Christian service was held in Lynden, in front of the old Judson home. Mrs. Judson was a true and firm friend of the Indians, and her home became a rallying point. In 1888, the Puget Sound Conference of the M. E. Church sent Rev. and Mrs. Winn as missionaries to the Nooksack Indians. They established headquarters at Everson. In 1890, Chief Jim gave the present site to the Society. It is the west end of a beautiful artificial island in the Nooksack river, and comprises about twenty-five acres. Mrs. M. B. Stickney donated the money for building the main structure, and in 1891, the main building was erected. Today, there are fifteen children attending the school, ranging in age from five to thirteen. Besides the common school branches, they are taught housework, sewing, weaving, and gardening. Miss Roots, the Superintendent, notes that while they cannot immediately overcome heredity and environment, the children compare favorably with those of the white race.