Hundreds of Secwepemc children attended the school, many forcibly removed from their homes following the introduction of mandatory attendance laws in the 1920s.[1] Children who attended the school were not allowed to speak their native Secwepemctsin language and were whipped for using it.[9] The school was featured in the 1962 Christmas-themed film Eyes of the Children.[10] Produced by George Robertson, the film followed 400 students as they prepared for Christmas and aired on the CBC on Christmas Day.[11] At one point, it was the largest Canadian residential school.[5] Canadian politician Leonard Marchand was among the many students to have attended the school.[13] Another was George Manuel, who said his three strongest memories of the school were: "hunger; speaking English; and being called a heathen because of my grandfather."[14]:191