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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
Labour Movement

Pathé News No.57, excerpt, Winnipeg General Strike

Type:

Date: 1919

History

The first Canadian general strike was held in Vancouver on the day of Albert Goodwin's burial and was a catalyst for the 1919 Winnipeg General Strike.

Description

This is newsreel footage shot at the time of the Winnipeg General Strike, which took place from 15 May to 25 June, 1919. The inter-title describes this as: '[scenes] of a big general strike which for six weeks threatened to paralyze the labor situation in many Canadian cities'. It begins with scenes of demonstrators carrying placards, with one reading 'Britons Never Shall Be Slaves', and another 'We Stand By Our Elected Government'. The demonstrators are believed to be anti-strike war veterans opposed to the apparent threat of communism. Men march past the camera as police watch. The next inter-title reads: 'Incidents such as these were quite frequent in attempts of the police to maintain order'. This refers to a sequence in which police march some individuals along a crowded street. Mayor Charles Gray of Winnipeg delivers a speech in an attempt to cool passions as strikers listen. The inter-title reads: 'Mayor Gray of Winnipeg addresses the strikers in his efforts to affect a reconciliation.'

Item Details

  • Materials:
  • Credit: Video courtesy of Library and Archives Canada. Bellevue Pathé fonds, 1974-0173, IDC 220304.

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