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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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Woman Crying
A woman crying (983.230.043)
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Story • 5 Min read
Mining

Death and Disaster: 1901

Friday, 15th of February

In mid-morning on the 15th of February 1901, a series of three explosions in the No. 6 Mine sent shock waves through the foundations of Cumberland.

Sixty-four men and boys had descended the shaft that morning.

2 Miners Underground
Two miners underground working a coal seam (990.025.002)

It was the worst mining disaster in the town’s history. Believed to have been caused when ‘some of the men had struck a cave full of gas while working with naked lights’.

The explosion turned the mine into a blazing inferno.

Oil Lamp
lamp, oil (982.017.001)

Lamps were designed to light miners’ way underground and the working place. However, when the flame was exposed to gas, they would turn deadly.

Rescue attempts were futile. The last recourse of action, to flood the shaft, was taken.

This final act tore apart any slender hopes the women and children had of their loved ones returning home that day.

'Oh could they not have just left me one?'

Catherine Walker, in, Nanaimo Daily News (March, 1901).

Memorial Document
Condolence letter addressed to Mrs. W.B. Walker (980.788.001)

Once a family of seven, Mrs. Walker lost her husband and two sons in the 1901 disaster, left to look after her three daughters, alone.

This Week in History, Ep. 14: Cumberland Mine Disaster (Read more)

Of the sixty-four men and boys who descended the shaft that morning.
None returned.