2025 Program Schedule
Friday, June 13 at 7 PM – 10:30 PM | Songs of the Workers
Location: The Cumberland Cultural Centre | Buchanan Hall | 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 | 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. There will be a CASH BAR for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Saturday, June 14 at 8 AM – 10:00 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.
Admission & Breakfast | BY DONATION
Event Sponsor | BCGEU’s Cross Component Committee
Saturday, June 14 at 10:30 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.
11:00 AM Opening Remarks
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 email communications@cumberlandmuseum.ca.
This year’s bouquets 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 14 at 12:00 PM | Cumberland Chinese Cemetery Graveside Vigil
Location: Cumberland Chinese Cemetery, Union Road, Cumberland
Following the Cumberland Municipal Cemetery, please join us as we gather at the Cumberland Chinese 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.
Saturday, June 15 at 1:30- 3:00 PM | Community Cold Plate Lunch
Location: Cumberland Cultural Centre (Buchanan Hall), 2674 Dunsmuir Ave
Join your comrades for a cold plate lunch. Lunch tickets are available for $15 (single meal ticket) and $25 (single meal ticket ‘In Support’).
Please register for your lunch tickets in advance so our volunteer crew knows how many potatoes to peel! There will be a limited number of tickets available at the door.
Expect live music and friendly company.
LUNCH SCHEDULE
1:30 pm – Doors Open – Cultural Centre- Buchanan Hall
1:45 pm – Welcome
2:00 pm – Lunch Buffet Opens
2:30 pm – Special Speech – BCFED Suzanne Skidmore
2:45 pm – Closing remarks
Saturday, June 14 at 3:00 PM | Labour History Walking Tour with Marianne Bell
Location: Cumberland Museum & Archives, 2680 Dunsmuir Ave
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.
Admission | BY DONATION | Donations collected at the Museum
Saturday, June 14 at 4:00 PM | Labour History Songs and Workshop with Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat
Location: Cumberland Museum & Archives, 2680 Dunsmuir Ave
More info to come!
Admission | BY DONATION
Sunday, June 15 at 11 am | Museum Tour (Labour History Highlights) with Dawn Copeman
Location: Cumberland Museum & Archives, 2680 Dunsmuir Ave
More info to come!
Admission | BY DONATION
Most events at Miners Memorial are by donation, except the Cash Bar at ‘Songs of the Workers’ on Friday, June 13.
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 39th annual Miners Memorial events. Together, we will commemorate and pay tribute to the miners who lost their lives at a graveside vigil. We will continue the time-honoured tradition of laying bouquets in memory as a symbol of our renewed commitment to safe and healthy workplaces.
Friday Night’s Songs of the Workers will be held at the Cumberland Cultural Centre. In addition to the traditional graveside vigils, Saturday’s events will include a pancake breakfast, a cold plate lunch, a labour history tour, and labour history workshops featuring songs. Sunday, we will offer a museum tour, by donation, and the museum will be open if you want to just stop by. Learn more about the weekend’s events here.
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 39th annual Miners Memorial
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.
