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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.

Person
Mining

George Norris Bertram

Role: Head surveyor

Date of birth: 07 Mar 1890

Date of death: 03 Jun 1917

Cause of death: Carbon monoxide poisoning

Age at death: 27

George Norris Bertram was the head surveyor at the No. 6 mine. He and four others were inspecting the mine when they died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Often a by-product of gas explosions, carbon monoxide is virtually undetectable until it is too late, making carbon monoxide detection devices essential to mine work. In the 19th and early 20th century canaries were sometimes used for this purpose. However, accidents such as the one that claimed the lives of George and his colleagues still occurred.
George was buried in the Cumberland cemetery in block 4-21, and the inscription on his grave reads: "In memory of George Norris Bertram b. Mar 7 1890 d. June 3 1917 Asleep with Jesus".