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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
Businesses Community

C.H. Tarbell in front of Tarbell’s Store

Type:

Date: c. 1900

C030-187

History

The C.H. Tarbell & Son building is one of the few surviving buildings in Cumberland from the 1890s.
C.H. (Charles Henry) Tarbell was from Vermont, USA and moved to Cumberland in 1895, and purchased the building in 1902. It was first named the C.H. Tarbell store, and by 1911 it was renamed to C.H. Tarbell & Son. In 1922 the stores were incorporated under the name Tarbells Limited. It operated until 1967, when the family sold the business.

Description

Black and white postcard shows a small window sign reading: “Tents to for sale.” The right hand window has fishing rods. The sign was later changed to C.H. Tarbell & Sons which carried on until 1967. The upper story of this building was used by various lodgers.

Item Details

  • Materials:
  • Accession Number: 984.003.018
  • Other reference: C030-187
  • Author: [unknown]
  • Donor: Bell, Gordon
  • Donated: 1984/01/26
  • Size: 9 x 14 cm
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