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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
Technology Mining

headlamp

Type:

Date: c. 1940

Miner’s Cap lamp with Battery
Miner’s Cap lamp with Battery
Miner’s Cap lamp with Battery
Miner’s Cap lamp with Battery
Miner’s Cap lamp with Battery

History

The Mine Safety Appliances Company (MSA) was created in 1914 in the United States following a streak of coal mine disasters. Among them was the largest coal mine disaster in US history with 362 deaths at the Monongah Coal mine in West Virginia in 1907. MSA enlisted Thomas Edison to design a battery-powered headlamp.
The steel case is designed to hold three rechargeable battery cells. A magnetic lock closes the lid to prevent users from opening the lid once underground, limiting the chances of sparks. The battery case is attached to the miner's belt and the headpiece is attached to a hat or helmet. Used to give light inside of a mine.

Description

On the battery, an inscription reads: 'Edison
Thomas A. Edison of Canada Limited Montreal, P.Q.
For use only in Canada and Newfoundland.'

The stamp in the plate on the side of the case reads:
'Permissible
Electric Cap Lamp
Approval No. 26
Issued to Thomas A. Edison Incorporated
Caution
The battery and headpiece housing shall not be unlocked or opened by the lamp user except in the lamp house.'

The stamp on the front edge of the case reads: 'Edison Model P Cap Lamp made by Thomas A. Edison Incorporated West Orange, N.J. U.S.A.'

Item Details

This collection item is featured in the following content:

Extension Mines Underground

Below the Depths

Descend into the Cumberland Mines

Story • 7 min read

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