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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.

Immerse yourself in a themed narrative.

Journeys

Journeys are a curated collection formed from the interplay and connection between narratives. Travel through a selection of stories, maps, people, and collections, which capture moments from Cumberland’s past.

Experience the history of workers' rights

The Labour Movement

Men recruited to work in the coal mines in Canada brought ideas of workers’ rights with them from overseas. The horrific and dangerous working conditions, long hours, poor treatment of workers, high fatality rates, and low pay made the time “rotten ripe” for change.

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Two Men Underground
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The labour movement arose in Europe in the 1800s, and was strongly internationalist in character – emphasising the shared interests between workers in different countries in opposing capitalist political regimes.

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Stories from the mines

The Coal Mines

Coal mining was one of the largest industries in the Comox Valley throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The mines were rich in coal, but also had some of the worst working conditions. Cumberland was the site of extensive coal mines, with a total of 8 mines. The large coal barons of the island exploited both the land and workers, and mining disasters shook the community.

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North End of Union No.1 Mine
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The disaster happened at two o’clock, and by seven o’clock the injured were all in the hospital, and the dead had received a place in the undertaking parlors."

The Cumberland Islander (September, 1922)

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Building a community

Immigration

Cumberland has been home to many diverse communities. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries people immigrated to the Comox Valley for many reasons, including employment, a chance at a better life, and new homes. While some of these communities may no longer be here today, they all helped to shape Cumberland into what it is today and their stories remain.

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Blue Trunk with Wooden Slats
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Canada's rich immigration history is shaped by the collective contributions of diverse communities, each playing a vital role in building and transforming the nation. Immigrants from Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond brought their cultures, skills, and resilience, contributing to the development of vibrant communities like Cumberland.

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By 1902, there were approximately 450 Asian miners working Cumberland. Only 165 were paid directly by the company.

Asian miners faced fierce discrimination, alienation, and endless scapegoating.

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Celebrate the natural landscape

Recreation

The surrounding beauty of the Comox Valley brings outdoor enthusiasts from all over to bask in the nature of Comox Lake, the Cumberland Community Forest, and the Beaufort Mountain range.

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Marmie Carter, in charge of the lake days activities, announced that plans are nearing competition for a two-day celebration, including a beer garden on Sunday, July 18."

1971 Centennial Programme, in Donna Watson, Edith Stephens, and Dick Esnor, A Hundred Spirited Years: A History of Cumberland (1988).

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An 7.3 magnitude earthquake complete reshaped the landscape surrounding Comox Lake on Sunday, 23rd of June, 1946. Cabins that lined its shores were washed away, beaches submerged, and trees that formerly lined its banks canted over.

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Timber!

Forestry

The large old-growth forests of Vancouver Island were prized for their valuable lumber. Logging and timber production was, and continues to be, a major industry in the Comox Valley.

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I was born in Cumberland in 1909 and worked in the coal mines: Nos. 4, 5, and 8. I could have stayed as a miner, but I went into logging because that's where the money was!"

Chuna Tobacco, in "Mountain Timber" by Richard Somerset Mackie (2009), pg. 195.

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I can remember in the mid-twenties when I started in the woods, if you mentioned union in a camp, the men - not the operators-would run you out of the camp. This condition went out for about twenty years."

Harper Baikie

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