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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
Chinese Community

Burning of a building in Chinatown

Type:

Date: 17 July 1968

History

From article in Comox District Free Press July, 17 1968. Sec. 2 pg. 1. In the 1930s, Chinatown experienced a decline in population due to the scarcity of work, and a significant fire further impacted the area in 1933. As time passed, the majority of its buildings were abandoned and considered hazardous by the 1960s. Consequently, on 17th July 1968, the Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department deliberately conducted a controlled burning of the structures.

Description

This image shows firemen and onlookers observing a building in disrepair burning.

Item Details

  • Materials:
  • Archival Reference: 983.103.002
  • Other reference: C040-057
  • Author: Comox District Free Press
  • Donor: Comox District Free Press
  • Donated: 1983-06-24
  • Size: 13 x 18 cm

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