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.

Person
Mining

James Whyte Sr.

Role: Overman

Year of birth: 1840

Date of death: 18 Feb 1902

Age at death: 62

James Whyte Sr. was the first overman at No. 2 mine. He was one of two white men at this mine overseeing an all Chinese workforce.
The Whyte family immigrated to Canada from Scotland in 1890 and settled at 2745 Derwent Avenue. James was buried in the Cumberland cemetery in Block 3, between plots 102 and 105.

James Whyte Sr. is featured in the following content:

Whyte Family

The Whyte family portrait

Image1891

Collection Item

< Go Back All People >

Take the next step on this journey.

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.

Start the Journey

Blue Trunk with Wooden Slats

Vincent Cavellero

1881 - 1923

Miner

Person