Culture
First Nations Peoples
The K'ómoks First Nation in a Land of Plenty
Gila’kasla means everyone welcome…
For thousands of years, indigenous people occupied the shoreline of eastern Vancouver Island in a place referred to as, "the land of plenty". This stretched from what is known today as Kelsey Bay south to Hornby and Denman Islands and included the watershed and estuary of the Puntledge River.
The people now called K'ómoks once referred to themselves as Sathloot, Sasitla, Ieeksun, Puntledge, Cha'chae, and Tat'poos. As a cultural collective they called themselves Sathloot, according to the late Mary Clifton.
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| The K’omoks First Nation participated in the Cultural Capital of Canada designation with the creation of three new cultural events. | |
Oral history and archaeology describe a rich and bountiful relationship between the K'ómoks and Land of Plenty. Salmon, seal, octopus, herring, cod, deer, ducks, shellfish and a wide variety of berries were their nutritious diet for thousands of years. Mask dances and rhythmic song were part most ceremonial gatherings. Property was distributed to guests in potlatches and elaborate naming ceremonies honoured the youth, leaders and elders of the communities
The K'ómoks people today are as proud and industrious as they were thousands of years ago. A small community of under 500 people, they boast a large number of artists of national renown as well as a successful art gallery, shellfishery and campground with interpretive centre.
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