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Land, Indigenous peoples, settlers, and today’s communities.

Since time immemorial, Ancestors of the people called K’ómoks today consisting of the Pentlatch, Ieeksan (eye-ick-sun), Sasitla (sa-seet-la), Xa’xe (ha-hey) and Sathloot (sath-loot) people have been the caretakers of this land, which they called the “Land of Plenty.” This Land of Plenty stretched from what is known today as Kelsey Bay in the north, down to Hornby and Denman Island in the south, and included the watershed and estuary of the Puntledge River, also acknowledging that these boundaries and place names are colonial constructs.

The K’ómoks First Nation refer to the lands between the bays of Comox and the Beaufort mountain range as the path between, it was a travel and trade route to the Alberni corridor and a connection to the indigenous communities on the western side of the island.

Land agreements included the 1884 Settlement Act stripped these lands for its caretakers. At the Museum we acknowledge that we are a colonial created institution, and I would like to thank Charlene Everson, Emily Shopland and Violet Williams for guiding the museum in early discussion on what reconciliation could mean for our organization and how we could create actionable steps; in maintaining a positive dialogue with a forward focus, sharing contemporary K’omoks narratives, and incorporating First Nation languages where they felt it appropriate. Their time and guidance helped us gain insight and learn how to best support their voice in our museum’s walls. This is an ongoing process and we have so much more to learn.

Collection Item
Technology

Candlestick phone and ringer box

Type:

Telephone Ringer Box

History

This is an example of an early telephone, called a candle stick phone due to its resemblance to a candle stick. These were used in places like offices as a method of internal communication. It required the user to crank the handle to reach the switchboard operator who would then connect you to the person you want to call. Each line on a shared telephone would have a unique ring pattern to identify who the call was for.

Description

The ringer box was a separate item on the telephone line that contained a ringer to alert a user of a call, and a magneto to power the connection to the telephone operator. There is also a solenoid to ring the bells and a wiring diagram mounted on the inside of the door which is stamped "TYPE 315-H".
This ringer box is made of oak with two silver bells mounted on the front. There is a hand crank on the right side of the box.
The plaque on the box readsL "THE NORTHERN ELECTRIC / & MANUFACTURING CO. LTD."

Item Details

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