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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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Fujinkai

The Japanese Women's Club

Often affiliated with a temple or church, Japanese women created associations called Fujinkai or Women’s Clubs. These associations focused on helping new Japanese immigrants adapt to their new homes and networking with other associations within the Japanese Canadian community.

No. 1 Fujinkai (Women’s Association) Cumberland B.C.
Fujinkai of no.1 town (2006.009.003)

There are few historical records left from BC’s Fujinkai, and Cumberland is no exception. Our collection has only two photos of the Fujinkai. This one here includes Mrs. Saito. Their family house is the only one that still stands in the former No. 1 Japanese town.

According to his 1921 article, Nakayama Jinshirō held the ‘greatness of women’s power’ as the force that allowed Japanese immigrants to become permanent residents in Canada.