Honouring Workers Yesterday & Today
June 18, 2022, marks the 37th anniversary of Miners Memorial in Cumberland. Every year since 1986 community members, organizers, activists, historians, musicians, families and the labour community have come together to commemorate the sacrifices of workers around the world and right here in Cumberland. Although decades have passed since the last mines closed in Cumberland, the memories of mining and the deep sense of grief over the loss of life underground remains.
The coal mines in Cumberland were some of the most dangerous in Canada, killing over 300 miners in accidents and countless others from work-related illnesses. Appalling working conditions compelled miners to organize and connect with unions from across North America and internationally. Cumberland holds an important place in the global story of workers’ rights and Miners Memorial Weekend has shone light on that history and critical social justice work that continues today.
This year, working in continued solidarity we unite with the Campbell River, Courtenay and District Labour Council to jointly host the 37th annual Miners Memorial events. Together we will commemorate and pay tribute to the miners who lost their lives at a graveside vigil where we will continue the time-honoured tradition of laying bouquets in memory and as a symbol of our renewed commitment to safe and healthy workplaces.
Friday Night’s Songs of the Workers is back this year and will be held at the Cumberland Masonic Hall. In addition to the traditional graveside vigils, Saturday’s events will include community tours of the No. 1 Japanese Townsite and the Village Downtown, and a BBQ in the village square. Sunday the museum will be open, hosting indoor tours and films. Please visit the Take Part to learn more about each event.
As stewards of the incredible history of the Village of Cumberland, we feel a deep sense of responsibility to honour this day and the countless individuals, families and organizations who have contributed to the remarkable Miners Memorial Weekend legacy in Cumberland. We look forward to standing together in solidarity with our friends and allies to celebrate the 37th annual Miners Memorial.
June 18, 2022 will mark the 37th anniversary of Miners Memorial in Cumberland. Every year since 1986 community members, organizers, activists, historians, musicians, families and the labour community have come together to commemorate the sacrifices of workers around the world and right here in Cumberland. Although decades have passed since the last mines closed in Cumberland, the memories of mining and the deep sense of grief over the loss of life underground remains.
We hope you will continue to support this event and join us in-person June 17-19 2022 for a weekend of events.
19 Jun 2020
8:00pm
Songs of the Workers Playlist
This Friday night tradition comes in a new format in 2020. Songs of the Workers will be a lively virtual cabaret to share songs and poems in the working-class tradition, labour standards, old songs, new songs, struggle, triumph and revolution! Detail to come soon on how to join the live event - please visit our Facebook pages.
20 Jun 2020
10 am - 11 am
No. 6 Mine Park Online Event
This year the Cumberland Museum & Archives and Miners Memorial Volunteer Committee has selected the site of the No. 6 Mine Park to hold space for the fallen miners, their families and to celebrate the workers of today that bring our communities together. This event will be live-streamed and we ask those who would like to join us to do so from the comfort of their homes, enabling us to keep our physical gathering small but our reach big.
Take Part
• Lay a Bouquet • Volunteer • Sponsor Us • Donate
Lay a Bouquet
Purchase a fairtrade bouquet on behalf of an individual, organization, or union, to be laid during the graveside ceremony. Proceeds support the Cumberland Museum & Archives.
