Kʼómoks facts for kids
Map showing traditional territory of the Island Comox; Mainland Comox not shown
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 850 (1983) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Canada (British Columbia) | |
| Languages | |
| English, Comox | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, native | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Coast Salish peoples |
The Kʼómoks (pronounced Koh-moks), also known as the Comox, are an Indigenous group from British Columbia, Canada. They traditionally lived in areas like Comox on Vancouver Island and across the Georgia Strait on the mainland.
Historically, the Kʼómoks people spoke the Komox language. They were divided into two main groups: the Island Comox and the Mainland Comox.
The Island Comox lived on Vancouver Island, near Courtenay and Comox. They were once a very strong Kʼómoks group. They called themselves Sathloot in their original language. Over time, their culture and language changed due to interactions with the Laich-kwil-tach people. Today, the Island Comox often use the name Kʼómoks, which means "plentiful" in the Kwakʼwala language.
Many Island Comox people today have close family ties with other groups. These include the Weiwaikum near Campbell River and the Weiwaikai on Quadra Island. Some of these groups, like the Walitsima, have Kʼómoks ancestors. The original languages of the Island Comox, called Qʼómox̣ʷs and Puntletch, are no longer spoken. People now mostly speak the Liqʼwala dialect or English.
The Mainland Comox live across the Strait of Georgia. They are made up of three main groups:
- The Sliammon (Tlaʼamin)
- The Klahoose (whose name ƛohos means "sculpin fish")
- The Homalco (Xwemalhkwu)
These three groups once lived close to each other. They shared territories and fishing spots.
Kʼómoks Governments Today
Today, the Kʼómoks people are organized into several band governments. These governments help manage their communities and lands. There are four main Kʼómoks First Nations:
- Kʼómoks First Nation (on Vancouver Island)
- Tla Aʼmin Nation (near Powell River)
- Klahoose First Nation (in the Discovery Islands)
- Homalco First Nation (in Toba Inlet)
There is also the Qualicum First Nation on Vancouver Island. This group includes people with Pentlatch and Laich-kwil-tach backgrounds.
Kʼómoks Culture and History
The Kʼómoks First Nation is made up of different tribes. These include the Pentlatch, Eʼiksan, and Sałułtxʷ tribes. The Pentlatch people lived in the valley for thousands of years. They left behind large piles of discarded seashells, called the Great Midden. This shows their love for shellfish, which is still important on the coast today.
The Eʼiksan people moved south from the Campbell River area around 1830-1835. The Sałułtxʷ (Kʼómoks) people moved south from Quadra Island around 1850-1855.
The Pentlatch people met European traders a long time ago. These traders came to their shores looking for sea otter furs. Famous explorers like Sir Francis Drake and Captain James Cook explored the coast in the 1500s and 1700s. After them, many English and Spanish ships visited the coast.
Kʼómoks Language Efforts
The original Kʼómoks language is almost lost today. However, many people in the community are working to bring it back. They are creating language programs to revitalize it.
Historically, at least three dialects were spoken:
- Coast Salish Pentlatch
- Ayajusem (Island Comox dialect)
- Kwakʼwala
Kwakʼwala became a very common language in the region. It was used during the fur-trading era and in ceremonies. It also helped people from different groups communicate when they married.
The Pentlatch dialect is less common now. Kʼómoks ancestors are said to have spoken this dialect. The last person who spoke Pentlatch fluently passed away in 1940. The Ayajusem, or Island Comox Dialect, was spoken in specific areas like Sathloot. The last fluent speaker of Ayajusem died in the 1990s. Both Pentlatch and Ayajusem were greatly influenced by Kwakʼwala over time.
