K’ómoks Nation

Comox

The territory of the K’ómoks Nation encompasses the eastern portion of Vancouver Island, from the Salmon River in the north to the Englishman River in the south.

K'omoks culture - Big House. Photo courtesy of I-Hos Gallery

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The main community of K’ómoks is located in Comox, on BC’s South Central Coast.

K’ómoks Nation

The territory of the K’ómoks Nation includes an area of the mainland of British Columbia, comprising Forward Harbour and Texada, Denman, and Hornby Islands.

Archeological evidence has shown K’ómoks villages were located throughout the territory, with significant settlements in the Salmon River watershed, Quadra Island and in the Courtney and Comox areas.

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K'omoks Village Late 18th Century. Photo courtesy of K’ómoks Nation — K’omoks Village Late 18th Century. Photo courtesy of K’ómoks Nation

A K’omoks origin story explains how a man named Shalhk’em and woman named Tisitl’a dropped down from the sky at kwaniwsam (Quinsam). They brought the mask and garments of the Xwayxway and together became the first ancestors of the Island Comox people.

The K’omoks people, as a cultural collective, call themselves the “Sathloot.” They refer to their territory as “the land of plenty,” with oral histories describing a rich and bountiful relationship between the nation and their land. The present day leaders of the K’ómoks Nation are working to reclaim their traditional cultural expressions and strengthen the community’s relationship with the land of plently.

K’ómoks Nation Projects

In partnership with Coast Funds, K’ómoks Nation has invested in:

First Nation	Applicant	Project	Description	Links	Type	Year	Funding
K’ómoks Nation	K'ómoks First Nation	Guardian Watchman Program – 2017/18 Operations	To continue implementing the Guardian Watchman Program throughout K'ómoks territory that includes eel grass and salt marsh monitoring, seal and sea lion surveys, stabilization of a river bank to protect a midden and ancestral burial grounds, ongoing contribution to the Ha-ma-yas Stewardship Network, and Level 2 Stewardship Training for Guardian Watchmen with Vancouver Island University	Project Story	Conservation Fund	2017	$ 11,550
K’ómoks Nation	K'ómoks First Nation	Guardian Watchman Program – 2016/17 Operations	To continue implementing a the Nation's Guardian Watchman Program throughout K'omoks territory over a multi-year period, continue stewardship technician certification programs with Vancouver Island University, and conduct butter clam, crab, seal and sea lions surveys throughout the territory	Project Story	Conservation Fund	2016	$ 9,962
K’ómoks Nation	K'ómoks First Nation	Guardian Watchman Program Start-up – 2015 Pilot	To continue implementing a pilot Guardian Watchman Program throughout the Nation's territory over a multi-year period and to conduct butter clam, crab, seal and sea lions surveys throughout the territory	Project Story	Conservation Fund	2015	$ 30,462
K’ómoks Nation	K'ómoks First Nation	Guardian Watchman Program Start-up – 2014 Pilot	To initiate and pilot a Guardian Watchman Program throughout its territories over a multi-year period and to design and deliver a training curriculum for three members of the Nation to become Guardian Watchmen	Project Story	Conservation Fund	2014	$ 72,650
K’ómoks Nation	K'ómoks First Nation	Food Safety Training for Salish Seafoods LP	To provide Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) training for seafood processing staff employed by Salish Seafoods LP		Economic Development Fund	2013	$ 2,685
K’ómoks Nation	K'ómoks First Nation	Acquisition of a Comox Valley Seafood Processing Company	To acquire an independent seafood processing company to be operated by the Nation as Salish Seafoods LP for processing shellfish, finfish, and value-added smoked products	Project Story	Economic Development Fund	2012	$ 402,735