- This event has passed.
MINERS MEMORIAL
June 14 @ 8:00 am - June 16 @ 5:00 pm
Free
Miners Memorial hosts a series of events including Song of the Workers and a graveside vigil commemorating the lives lost and pays tribute to those who fought on their behalf for safer working conditions. This time-honoured event upholds the commitment to continue the fight for workers of today and commemorates the loss of over 300 lives in Cumberland mines, who never returned home after a day of work.
The Museum will also host a series of events including talks, walking tours, a community picnic and in-museum tours over the weekend. Check out the full schedule of events coming soon.
2024 SCHEDULE – MORE UPDATES COMING
FRIDAY, JUNE 14 AT 7 PM – 10:30 PM | SONGS OF THE WORKERS
LOCATION: THE CUMBERLAND CULTURAL CENTRE, 2687 DUNSMUIR AVE
Back in the flesh, the Songs of the Workers concert event features local and visiting musicians sharing stories and music about workers and their lives – coal mines, textile factories, farms, kitchens, logging camps, fish plants, kitchens, assembly lines, picket lines, and unemployment lines. Work that builds us up and work that tears us down. The struggle, triumphs and tribulations of all our labours.
Admission to the event is by donation, all are welcome and will be accommodated until capacity is met. No registration is required for entry donations will be accepted at the door.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 8 AM – 9:30 AM| PANCAKE BREAKFAST
LOCATION: THE CUMBERLAND RECREATION INSTITUTE, 2665 DUNSMUIR AVE
Start the day with ‘ food for the people’; with its limited ingredients and short preparation time, the pancake has historically been a working-class food. This year the BCGEU’s Cross Component Committee will be serving up fluffy cakes to be buttered and soaked in syrup as desired.
Breakfast is by donation; please drop in between 8 am and 9: 30 am.
Event Sponsor: BCGEU’s Cross Component Committee
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 11 AM | GRAVESIDE VIGIL
LOCATION: THE CUMBERLAND MUNICIPAL CEMETERY, 4441 MINTO ROAD
This year we look forward to hosting a gathering of people at the Cumberland Municipal Cemetery. The graveside vigil commemorates the lives lost in the Cumberland mines and pays tribute to those who fought on their behalf for safer working conditions and worker rights. There will be an opening welcome and short addresses from Union and community members, followed by the tradition of laying a bouquet on individual graves. This time-honoured tradition upholds the commitment to continue the fight for workers of today and commemorates the loss of individual lives, over 300 in Cumberland, and the challenges faced by the families whose loved ones never returned home after a day of work.
A bouquet can be purchased for those intending to come on the day or for those who would like a volunteer to lay a bouquet in their honour.
For additional information, questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Rosslyn Shipp at director@cumberlandmuseum.ca
This year’s bouquests will be crafted by Valley Home Meals, a local Comox Valley like minded small business; 5% of all flower sales go to Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation for Cancer. When you purchase your Miners Memorial Bouquet your support moves beyond our event and lives on within our community.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 12:15 PM | NIKKEI NO HAKA JAPANESE CEMETERY GRAVESIDE VIGIL
LOCATION: NIKKEI NO HAKA JAPANESE CEMETERY, UNION ROAD, CUMBERLAND
Following the Cumberland Municipal Cemetery, please join us as we gather at the Nikkei No Haka Japanese Cemetery. The Japanese and Chinese cemeteries, sacred grounds bear witness to the profound contributions of these communities to Cumberland’s mining industry. Amidst the tranquil surroundings, we will take a moment to honor the memory of those who labored tirelessly, their sacrifices woven into the fabric of Cumberland’s history. Mayor of Cumberland, Vicky Brown and Museum Director Rosslyn Shipp, will both reflect on the significance of this occasion and the enduring legacy of those we stand to commemorate.
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 2- 3:45 PM | COMMUNITY COLD PLATE LUNCH
LOCATION: CUMBERLAND CULTURAL CENTRE, 2674 DUNSMUIR AVE
Join your comrades for a cold plate picnic dinner (vegetarian and GF options included). Lunch tickets are available sliding scale $10-$30, but we’re asking folks to register for their dinner tickets in advance so our volunteer crew knows how many potatoes to peel!
There will be live music and more.
The afternoon will host a special presentation by Oscar Wolfgang, discussing his upcoming project: a feature film entitled “Ginger” about workers’ rights and community, the story of Albert Goodwin. Oscar will share his inspiration with you and follow up with a Q&A session.
LUNCH SCHEDULE
1:45 pm- Doors Open at the Cultural Centre
2:00 pm – Welcome
2:10 pm – Lunch Bell!
2:50 pm – Special Guest Speaker Oscar Wolfgang
3:10 pm – Desert, Music and visiting
3: 40 pm – Closing remarks
Please register for the picnic so we know how much food to prep!
Interested in sponsoring this year’s lunch, please connect with the Museum Director, Rosslyn Shipp at: director@cumberlandmuseum.ca
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 4:05 PM | AN ACTIVITS’ REFLECTIONS
LOCATION: CUMBERLAND MUSEUM & ARCHIVES, 2680 DUNSMUIR AVE
Brian Charlton has been a labour activist for over fifty years and has had his share of experiences fighting for workers rights. He thanks you for the opportunity to share some of those experiences. Brian will talk about his union, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) and their battle to win maternity leave rights in 1981. In addition, as an example of the international dimensions of the union work we will look at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the historic Battle in Seattle in 1999. Hopefully we will then show how all these actions tie into the challenges we as workers face today. There will be a discussion period following the talk.
No registration is required, please just drop-in.
Event supported by the Health Sciences Association
SATURDAY, JUNE 15 AT 5 PM | ECHOES OF STRUGGLE: A LABOUR HISTORY JOURNEY THROUGH DOWNTOWN CUMBERLAND
LOCATION: THIS TOUR STARTS AT THE CUMBERLAND MUSEUM
As you stroll along Dunsmuir Avenue, once bustling with miners and laborers, you’ll discover the hidden gems of labour history with local walking tour guide Marianne Bell. From the former union headquarters to the sites of pivotal strikes, each stop unveils a chapter of Cumberland’s vibrant past.
Join The Downtown Walking Tour
SUNDAY, JUNE 16 AT 10 AM | CUMBERLAND CEMETERY TOUR
LOCATION: THE CUMBERLAND MUNICIPAL CEMETERY, 4441 MINTO ROAD
SUNDAY, JUNE 16 AT 1:00 PM AND 1:35 PM | MUSEUM TOUR
LOCATION: CUMBERLAND MUSEUM & ARCHIVES, 2680 DUNSMUIR AVE
Join Cumberland Museum & Archives Director Rosslyn Shipp for a 30-minute tour of the new exhibition, Wish You Were Here – Preserving Cultural Memory: the power and place of communication through Cumberland’s Archives. This tour will focus on the new exhibition’s section: Remembering is resistance, exploring Cumberland’s history through archival letters, shedding light on social justice, community resilience, and the complexities of cultural memory.
No registration is required, please just drop-in.
