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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 Japanese Community

Mr. and Mrs Fujimoto with their children

Type:

Date: c. 1928

History

The Fujimoto family resided in No. 5 Mine townsite until a fire ravaged most of the houses in the area. When the Internment of Japanese residents was implemented in 1942, they were living in Royston. At that time, Yukiye was attending grade twelve at Cumberland High, while Yoshio was in grade eight at Minto School, and Mr. Fujimoto worked as a logger. Minoru and Takao were employed as 'mill hands' at the Royston Mill. Additionally, they had six younger children: Satoru, Tatsuo, and Yasuo, who attended Minto School, and the preschool-age children, Nobuo and Mitsuye, who were three years old and one month old, respectively, at the time of the internment.

Description

This image shows the Fujimoto family. The father is Takujuro Fujimoto and the mother, Haru Fujimoto. The children are, from oldest to youngest: Kikuye, Minoru, Yukiye, Takao, and Yoshio.

The historical information was provided by Florence Bell.

Item Details

  • Materials:
  • Archival Reference: 998.034.160
  • Other reference: C140-287
  • Author: [unknown]
  • Donor: Takata, Tayoaki
  • Donated: 1998/05/01
  • Size: 16 x 21 cm

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