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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.

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Rare Chinese Masonic Membership Receipt Book
Membership record book (985.038.006)
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Volunteer Organizations Community

Chee Kung Tong

The Chinese Freemasons

Most Chinese fraternal societies were born out of a need for mutual assistance. Many later took on political goals on top of their other duties. For expatriates, these organizations helped their members adapt to their life in their new, and at times, inhospitable home. These societies created vast networks that connected the isolated Chinatowns of BC across the pacific to China.

A book of secrets. The names of Cumberland’s Chee Kung Tong’s (Chinese Freemasons) members are marked on its pages. The organization had roots in the political movement aimed at overthrowing the government during the Qinq Dynasty (1636–1912). The resulting political persecution forced their members to keep their affiliation secret. Once back in China, members could be executed if their connection was revealed. On top of its role as a crucial social support network, the Cumberland’s Chee Kung Tong promoted a political goal: a Chinese Revolution.

This book notes that donations were made to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s political party, a key figure in the Chinese Revolution, who visited Cumberland on March 1, 1911, to promote his cause in British Columbia.

983.040.001
Chinese Book of Shares from Chee Kung Tong (983.040.001)

The Chee Kung Tong was one of the most important fraternal societies of Cumberland’s Chinese community. Half the population were members, including most business owners. Hock Shun Low, a prominent merchant, served as the society’s president from 1903 to 1923. The Chee Kung Tong built their first building in the 1890s as a gathering place for their members. Here they would congregate to talk of social causes, work, home and of course, the Chinese revolution.

Hock Shun Low in Formal Dress
Photograph of Low Hock Shun in formal dress in front of Sunon Wo Co. Merchandise in 1938 (983.127.027)

The more militant inner circle of the Chee Kung Tong was the Dart Coon Club. A new large building, often referred to as the ‘Masonic Hall’, was built in Cumberland Chinatown in 1927. Its members often practiced martial arts here and other combat sports.

Beaded Embroidery of Dart Coon Club
needlepoint (985.041.001)

Below are the 1921 members posing for a club picture. The unique qualities of this archival document are the names articulated in both Chinese and English, a modern inclusion.

C040-111
Dart Coon Club members (984.073)