In 1969, the concept of a Provincial Cultural Education Centre was initiated at the founding meeting of the Union of BC. Indian Chiefs in Kamloops, BC. The mandate for developing and maintaining the Cultural Centre was given to the UBCIC as a Land Claim strategy. The UBCIC relocated to Vancouver for better accessibility and the cultural education initative was transferred to the East Fraser District Council. In 1972, the local twenty four Stó:lō Chiefs were mandated to operate a Cultural Centre. They appointed the initial Board of Directors to become a registered non-profit agency and to implement a Cultural Centre for the benefit of the Stó:lō people as well as First Nation peoples in general. The Coqualeetza Cultural Education Centre was incorporated in 1973 as a non-profit charitable organization and operated its programs and services on the Coqualeetza properties in Chilliwack, BC.