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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
Community Volunteer Organizations

cap

Type:

Date: 1963

History

This hat belonged first to John Vander Maaten. The donor spent 50 years on the Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department, retiring in 1981.

Description

This Fireman's hat is dark blue wool with a hard black peak with chin straps. The chin strap is held in place by two silver buttons with 'FD' embroided on them. The sweatband is leather and has been padded out with newspaper to make it fit better. The label on the crown of the hat reads: 'Hamilton Uniform Cap Co. Ltd 214 King William St. Hamilton Ont.'. Written inside the sweatband is 'John Vander Maaten 1963'.

Item Details

  • Materials: , ,
  • Archival Reference: 983.141.001a
  • Manufacturer: Hamilton Uniform Cap Co. Ltd.
  • Donor: Buchanan, John
  • Donated: 1983
  • Size: 24 x 30 x 11 cm

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