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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
Mining

Coal cutter underground

Type:

Date: c. 1920

History

In the early Cumberland mines, a groundbreaking innovation came with the introduction of coal cutters. These remarkable tools, resembling chainsaws in their mechanism, were utilized to create an incision at the base of the coal face. This method allowed the coal above the incision to loosen, making it easier to extract through blasting. By 1894, the Cumberland mines were already employing four electric cutters, marking a significant advancement in their mining operations.

This image is part of the Hudson Collection.

Description

This image depicts two men underground with an open flame working a coal cutter.

Item Details

  • Materials:
  • Archival Reference: 990.025.004
  • Other reference: C160-040
  • Author: [unknown]
  • Donor: Hudson, Reg and Violet
  • Donated: 1990/04/25
  • Size: 17 x 11 cm

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