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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 Community

drum

Type:

Date: c. 1910

Cantonese Opera Drum
Cantonese Opera Drum
Cantonese Opera Drum

History

Percussions are part of Cantonese Opera music. Part of these percussions are drums, or gu, like this one made of wood and hide with black rivets holding the skin taut on the wood, producing the sound characteristic of the opera. Striking it in different places produces different sounds.

Description

This wood and skin frame drum has black disks and metal on the exterior, with Chinese characters on top. It is black, tan, and brown.

Item Details

This collection item is featured in the following content:

Cantonese Opera Drum

Got your Tickets?

The Theaters in Town

Story • 2 min read

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