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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

Large gathering outside the Royal Canadian Legion building

Type:

Date: c. 1920

History

This image captures a community gathering outside the original Memorial Hall, located at 2770 Dunsmuir Avenue. The Great War Veterans' Association obtained this lot from the City of Cumberland to construct the pictured Memorial Hall and Arch. Designed by William Arthur Owens and built by H. Trehearne of Courtenay, the hall officially opened in October 1920, with the arch added the following year, also designed by Owens. The Memorial Hall became a focal point for annual November 11th commemorations, honoring lives lost during times of war.

Description

This image shows a large group of people gathered outside of the Memorial Hall with the Arch in front. The flags are at half mast and a religious figure flanked by four men stands at the entrance. The approximate date of the images is in the 1920s.

Item Details

  • Materials:
  • Accession Number: 984.077.016
  • Other reference: C030-135 / 987.019.015 / 991.048.032
  • Author: [unknown]
  • Donor: Kothlow, Frank
  • Donated: 1984/08/17
  • Size: 13 x 18 cm