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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 Mining Resistance & Resilience

Damage to Quong Lee’s store

Type:

Date: 13 August 1913

History

As a part of The Big Coal Strike (1912-1914) on Vancouver Island, Quong Lee's Store fell victim to the violence that unfolded on August 13, 1913. During this eventful night, strike supporters looted and set fire to homes and businesses owned by Chinese immigrants in Extension. Chinese workers, who had been compelled to return to work as strikebreakers, further exacerbated the already heightened racial tensions prevailing at the time.
Transferred from the Legislative Library of British Columbia to the Provincial Archives in 1978. Digitized as part of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Initiative.

Description

This image shows the damage done by rioters to Quong Lee's store in Extension.

Item Details

  • Materials:
  • Archival Reference: F-05339
  • Other reference: HP093346; 197905-009. / 197905-009
  • Author: British Columbia. Commission to Inquire into the Vancouver Island Riots, 1913-1914 [1916]
  • Credit: Image F-05339 courtesy of the Royal BC Museum

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