map-bg

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.

No.5 First aid team at No.6 Mine first aid station demonstrating breathing apparatus

About The Cumberland Museum & Archives


tuwa akʷs χoχoɬ ʔa xʷ yiχmɛtɛt (ʔa) kʷʊms hɛhaw tʊms gɩǰɛ. 

For thousands of years, Indigenous people occupied the shoreline of eastern Vancouver Island in a place they referred to as “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.

The Cumberland Museum and Archives is located within these lands, the Unceded traditional territory of the K’òmoks First Nation, consisting of the Pentlatch, Ieeksan (eye-ick-sun), Sasitla (sa-seet-la), and Sathloot (sath-loot) people. The Museum acknowledges the indigenous groups of these areas as knowledge keepers and guardians who have cared for the land and water of this unceded territory since time immemorial.

The Museum has committed to implementing the Truth & Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action for Museums and Archives as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Museum is working with the K’ómoks First Nation to ensure that any content, stories, and knowledge shared onsite or through the digital museum is generated by community members.

The late nineteenth century brought the arrival of settlers from Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world, who placed overlapping values on the land of plenty. The Museum’s exhibits and collection explore important social, political, economic and environmental themes that reflect the Museum’s understanding and representation of Cumberland’s rich history. The Museum’s aims to celebrate the stories of the people who called Cumberland home. They are at the very core of the Museum and as integral as the objects and documents found within. These diverse voices provide an exciting, riveting, and sometimes challenging juxtaposition of perspectives within our activities, programming, and exhibitions.

Plan A Visit

 

Cumberland Museum Logo