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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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Black Leather Soccer Cleats
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The Gentleman’s Game

Soccer stars in town

Lacing up the boots and crossing the white line was a highlight of the week for many of the young men and boys of Cumberland. Emerging from the depths and darkness of the mine, and taking to the open field provided a much needed relief from the struggles of work.

Soccer provided an arena for the men to forge a sense of togetherness outside of the mine. Many individual pits had a team and would play against each other. Bonds of brotherhood formed and was a way many miners established themselves as natural community leaders.

Albert ‘Ginger’ Goodwin was an avid player. He played in attack as an inside forward. Believed to have been a good player, his involvement in soccer gained him popularity and respect amongst his peers.

Ginger Goodwin Soccer Pin
pin, membership (984.008.001)

The players together representing the #5 Mine United Soccer Team.

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No.5 United mine soccer players (988.001.004)

When it was all said and done, and the rivalries on the pitch had been settled, and the final whistle blown, teams would gather in the pub with a cold beer in hand. Heroics of the match were lamented, tales of horror from work shared, and in the case of Ginger Goodwin, ideas of socialism discussed.