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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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Arts and Celebrations Community

God Save the Queen

Celebrating the British Empire

Cumberland’s first May Day celebration (then referred to as “Empire Days”) was reportedly held in May 1888 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday. However the first official mention of Cumberland’s May Day celebration was in June 1891 by the Nanaimo Free Press.

May Day celebrations date back to ancient European agricultural rituals. Similar festivals were celebrated by the Greeks and Romans to ensure a good harvest, and medieval May Day celebrations in Europe marked the return of spring.

Crowning a May Queen became part of the festivities in 1919, with Jessie Stevenson claiming the inaugural crown.

C080-054
May Queen of 1919, Jessie Stevenson (984.003.019)

Today Cumberlanders continue to celebrate May Days with a parade, music, dancing, sports, games, decoration, and dancing around a maypole.

95th Empire Day Poster
Empire Day poster (2016.079.004)