2026 PROGRAM SCHEDULE
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.
Thursday, June 11, 2026
7 PM | Maria Dunn – Live in Concert
Location: Weird Church | 2688 Penrith Ave
The Cumberland Museum presents Maria Dunn, live in concert as part of this year’s Miners Memorial Weekend Celebrations!
Purchase Tickets| HERE
A true preserver of the spirit of folk music, 2022 Juno award winner Maria Dunn draws deeply on the folk tradition of storytelling through song to honour the resilience and grace of
“ordinary” people, past and present. Her music celebrates the love of family, community, and humanity that fires our actions to make the world a better place.
Maria Dunn‘s official website is: https://www.mariadunn.com
Friday, June 12
4:30 to 6:30 PM | Labour History Walking Tour with Marianne Bell
Location: MEET at the Museum | Cumberland Museum & Archives, 2680 Dunsmuir Ave
Entry by Donation | Donations collected at the Museum
7 PM – 10:30 PM | Songs of the Workers
Location: The Cumberland Cultural Centre | Buchanan Hall | 2687 Dunsmuir Ave
Entry by Donation | Donations collected at the Door
Cash Bar and limited Riders Pizza by the slice!
Songs of the Workers is a community music event featuring local and visiting musicians sharing stories and music about workers and their lives – from coal mines, textile factories, farms and kitchens, to logging camps, daycares and care homes, fish plants, smoky bars, assembly lines, picket lines, and unemployment lines.
This night is all about work that builds us up and work that tears us down. Let’s sing to the struggles, triumphs, and tribulations of all our labours.
Featuring special guests Jon Bartlett and Rika Ruebsaat, Art Farquharson, the Valley Edge Choir, and many more!
Want to share a song or two in the theme of work, life and death and revolution?
Email: meaghancursons@gmail.com
Saturday, June 13
8 AM – 10:00 AM | BCGEU Pancake Breakfast
Location: The Cumberland Recreation Institute, 2665 Dunsmuir Ave
Breakfast is by donation; please drop in between 8 am and 9: 30 am.
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 will be serving up fluffy cakes to be buttered and soaked in syrup as desired.
Event Sponsor: BCGEU
Breakfast by Donation
10:30 AM | Graveside Vigil
Location: The Cumberland Municipal Cemetery, 4441 Minto Road
12:00 PM | Nikkei No Haka Japanese Canadian Cemetery and Chinese Canadian Cemetery Graveside Vigils
Location: Nikkei No Haka Japanese Canadian Cemetery
Location: Chinese Canadian Cemetery
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.
1:30 – 2:30 PM | Community Cold Plate Lunch
Location: Cultural Centre, Buchanan Hall | 2674 Dunsmuir Ave
Purchase Tickets| HERE
2:15 to 3:15 PM | Miners Memorial Panel Presentation – Celebrating 40 Years
Location: Cultural Centre, Buchanan Hall | 2674 Dunsmuir Ave
Entry by Donation | Donations collected at the Museum
3:30 to 4:30 pm | Music Workshop Rika Ruebsaat and Jon Bartlett, “Coal Mining in Southern BC”
Location: Cumberland Museum & Archives, 2680 Dunsmuir Ave
Entry by Donation | Donations collected at the Museum
Sunday, June 14
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Museum Tour with Dawn Copeman
Location: Cumberland Museum & Archives, 2680 Dunsmuir Ave
Entry by Donation | Donations collected at the Museum
Monday, June 15
3:30 PM– 5:30 PM | Labour History Canoe Tour
Location: Cumberland Lake Park Society, 1100 Comox Lake Road
Purchase Tickets| HERE
More detailed information is available here: Program Information – Big Canoe Charter.
Interested in Volunteering?
Email programs@cumberlandmuseum.ca or complete our online volunteer form here!