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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
Mining

Vance, a Trapper Boy, 15 years old

Type:

Date: 1 September 1908

History

Trapper was often the first job a young was given once old enough to be allowed underground. Being a trapper boy was boring but important. These doors needed to stay shot to control ventilation but open to let coal cars pass. The work of the trapper boy was to wait in the dark for coal cars pulled by mules to approach their door and open and close the door for them.

Description

In this image, a boy is waiting sitting beside a large door. Writings and drawings can be seen on the door.

The long title for this image is: "Vance, a Trapper Boy, 15 years old. Has trapped for several years in a West Va. Coal mine. $.75 a day for 10 hours work. All he does is to open and shut this door: most of the time he sits here idle, waiting for the cars to come. On account of the intense darkness in the mine, the hieroglyphics on the door were not visible until plate was developed. Location: West Virginia."

Item Details

  • Materials:
  • Archival Reference: 2018673797
  • Other reference: LOT 7477, No. 0163
  • Author: Hine, Lewis Wickes
  • Credit: Image courtesy of the National Child Labor Committee collection, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

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