Schedule
Exhibits
Explore Coal, Conflict, and Community, a new exhibit spanning over one hundred years of working and labour history through interpretive panels, music, artwork, and illustrations. Highlights include an original mural by artist David Lester inspired by Cumberland’s diverse communities and an illustrated labour history timeline created by the Graphic History Collective. Learn about the Big Strike of 1912 to 1914, the history of Miners Memorial, and more.
Visit new interpretive panels at the No 1. Japanese Town site in Coal Creek Historic Park, and the new Royston Lumber Mill exhibit at the Cumberland Museum and Archives, sharing the history of Cumberland’s Japanese Canadian communities.
2019 Schedule:
Download the 2019 Brochure / Schedule in PDF format here: MMW Brochure 2019 web
FRIDAY, JUNE 21
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY
Join the K’omoks First Nation for celebrations and events throughout the day. 3320 Comox Road.
6:00 EXHIBIT TALK
CUMBERLAND MUSEUM – BY DONATION
A talk by Robin Folvik featuring Cumberland’s local labour and working history, and the creative process that shaped the new Coal, Conflict, and Community exhibit at the Cumberland Museum and Archives. Registration not required. All welcome.
7:00 – 10:00 SONGS OF THE WORKERS
CULTURAL CENTRE HALL – BY DONATION
A classic pub night with musicians from across BC sharing songs about life, death, work, and everything in between. Riders Pizza and drinks available.
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
8:00 – 10:00 PANCAKE BREAKFAST
CUMBERLAND RECREATION INSTITUTE – BY DONATION
Sponsored by: BCGEU Area 2 Cross Component Committee
9:00 – 10:00 GUIDED MUSEUM TOUR
CUMBERLAND MUSEUM & ARCHIVES – BY DONATION
Learn about the story of the people of Cumberland – the rich, the poor, the powerful, the rebellious, the righteous and the radical!
Tour guide – Meaghan Cursons
* NEW* this year the ceremonies begin at the Japanese-Canadian Cemeteries before moving to the Municipal Cemetery.
11:00 – 11:30 SPEAKER AND LAYING OF ROSES AT THE JAPANESE-CANADIAN CEMETERY AT UNION ROAD
* Pick up bouquets between 10:15 and 10:45 and hold onto them for the Municipal Cemetery ceremony.
12:00 – 1:15 THE CEREMONY AT THE CUMBERLAND MUNICIPAL CEMETERY FEATURES SPEAKERS, MUSIC, THE LAYING OF FAIR TRADE FLOWERS ON GINGER GOODWIN’S GRAVE, AND A ROSE CEREMONY ON THE GRAVES OF FALLEN MINERS AT MINERS ROW
* Folding chair (if standing for a period of time is difficult), water, sunscreen, snacks, and umbrella are recommended.
Break. Visit a local Cumberland eatery!
2:30 – 3:15 THE FUTURE OF MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA
CULTURAL CENTRE – TALK BY DONATION
As in Canada, mining has been a key driver of economic development in South Africa for close to 150 years. When looking at this history, the role of women in often forgotten or not asked about. This is the question that Salimah Valiani will address with regard to South Africa, assessing from a feminist perspective what mining has meant for women over time.
Supported by the Boag Foundation.
3:30 – 4:00 CRADLING LABOUR, LAND AND NATURE – POETRY READING
CUMBERLAND MUSEUM & ARCHIVES – FREE
Salimah Valiani, PhD, is a poet, activist and researcher who writes poems on mining, land and related issues. Reading made possible with the financial assistance of the Canada Council through the Writers’ Union of Canada.
4:00 – 5:00 GUIDED WALKING TOUR
LEAVES FROM THE CUMBERLAND MUSEUM & ARCHIVES – BY DONATION
‘A complicated Cumberland’. Hear some of the diverse stories of people, places, and events that make Cumberland’s history unique. With guide Marianne Bell. Leaves from the Museum and ends at No 6. Mine Park.
4:15 – 5:30 GETTING GRAPHIC WITH THE PAST
CULTURAL CENTRE – WORKSHOP BY DONATION
The Graphic History Collective is a group of activists, artists, writers, and researchers passionate about comics, history and social change. Learn how you don’t need a cape and a pair of tights to change the world! Facilitated by David Lester. Registration not required.
Supported by the Boag Foundation.
5:00 – 7:00 BBQ in Village Square (note: location has changed!)
Gather with fellow workers and friends for a BBQ at Village Square. Supper by donation. Enjoy a special performance from the Miners Memorial Choir at 6pm!
BBQ sponsored by: CUPE 556
7:30 HERITAGE THEATRE
CUMBERLAND MASONIC HALL – BY DONATION
TheatreWorks has a long tradition of bringing labour and working history to life through their productions. March of the Innocents takes us back to 1903, Mother Jones, and the one-hundred-mile march of the mill children.
Supported by CUPE BC
SUNDAY, JUNE 23
11:00 – Noon BOOK LAUNCH AND TALK
CUMBERLAND MUSEUM & ARCHIVES – FREE
The Graphic History Collective (GHC) is a group of activists, artists, writers, and researchers passionate about comics, history and social change. We produce alternative histories – people’s histories – in an accessible format to help people understand the historical roots of contemporary social issues. Our comics show that you don’t need a cape and a pair of tights to change the world.
2:00 HERITAGE THEATRE
CUMBERLAND MASONIC HALL – BY DONATION
TheatreWorks has a long tradition of bringing labour and working history to life through their productions. March of the innocents takes us back to 1903, Mother Jones, and the one-hundred-mile march of the mill children.
Supported by CUPE BC