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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
Industrialization Mining

Hudson’s Bay Company fort, Fort Rupert, Vancouver Island

Type:

Date: c.1866

History

Fort Rupert, close to modern-day Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, was built in 1849 to serve the exploitation of coal seams at Suquash.

Description

This image shows the Hudson's Bay Company fort and stone house at Fort Rupert with the indigenous village captured to the right. The script reads 'Fort Rupert Indian Village general view as seen from the foreground of the picture, the only one in existance.'

Item Details

  • Materials:
  • Archival Reference: K62A-C
  • Author: Dally, Frederick
  • Credit: Image K62A-C courtesy of Toronto Public Library, Baldwin Collection of Canadiana, K62A-C.

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