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

Chinese Community

Hock Shun Low

Role: Businessman

Date of birth: 23 Sep 1862

Date of death: 02 May 1948

Age at death: 85

Hock Shun Low, also known as Lai Yuen, was a prominent businessman and figure in Cumberland's Chinatown. He owned the Sun On Wo Company store, which imported Chinese goods, and the Joy Yin Lau restaurant, and was the head of the Comox district's branch of the Chinese Benevolent Society. Hock Shun Low was born in the Guandong, or Kwongton, region of China and immigrated first to California in 1881, then to British Columbia a few months later.

Land, Indigenous peoples, settlers, and today’s communities.

Hock Shun Low

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Land, Indigenous peoples, settlers, and today’s communities.

Hock Shun Low is featured in the following content:

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Photograph of Low Hock Shun in formal dress in front of Sunon Wo Co. Merchandise in 1938

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