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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

Lake Days

Celebrating Comox Lake

A campground opened by the Kinsmen in the 1940s is operated by the Lake Park Society today, providing programing and public access to the lake. From 1960 until 1994, ‘Comox Lake Days’ was an annual event created by the village designed to promote the lake as an attraction.

Family oriented activities such as tug of war, BBQs, face painting and a host of water sports, including wind-surfing, brought families together to celebrate the natural landscape.

Souvenir Cap Cumberland Lake Days Canoe Race 1981
cap, baseball (983.098.001)

Marmie Carter, in charge of the lake days activities, announced that plans are nearing competition for a two-day celebration, including a beer garden on Sunday, July 18. Other activities planned include the pancake breakfast Saturday, an event in the past which has provided highly successful; deadhead derby, air force show and the ever popular sunset ceremony, performed by cadets…Many local clubs and organizations will take part in two days of fun and frolic.

1971 Centennial Programme, in Donna Watson, Edith Stephens, and Dick Esnor, A Hundred Spirited Years: A History of Cumberland (1988).

Beyond the events of Comox Lake Days, it’s natural beauty and refreshing waters have been a hub of recreational activities for generations of Cumberlanders.

Comox Lake Campground
Comox Lake campground (2016.025.033)