You are hereNaming and Claiming: the Creation of Bute Inlet
Naming and Claiming: the Creation of Bute Inlet
Campbell River Museum, Oct 12, 2011 - Jan 17, 2012
History meets geography in a new temporary exhibit coming to the Museum at Campbell River from the Cortes Museum. The exhibit has been curated by author and artist Judith Williams.
The exhibit illustrates the derivation and meaning of geographic names seen on contemporary maps of the Bute Inlet area, and explains how they are linked to its history. The name ‘Homalco’ that we use today to identify the people whose ancestral territory comprises the length of the 80 kilometre inlet, is an anglicized version of Xwemalhkwu (swift waters) – their name for the river that empties into the head of the inlet. The ‘Bute’ was named by Captain Vancouver in honour of John Stuart, Third Earl of Bute, who took a great interest in the mapping of the Northwest Coast.
Included in the exhibit are superb photos from Judith William’s collection, and artifacts unique to the area. Many people will recognize the photo of the distinctive white wooden church that until recently stood in the Homalco community of Church House at the entrance to Bute Inlet. Built in the early 1900s, the church recently succumbed to age, but the plaster Stations of the Cross that hung on its walls were rescued by Homalco parishioners. One of these will be on display at the Museum.
The Museum will also add images from its own collections, notably those of the Schnarr family who lived in the Bute Inlet for many years. The three Schnarr daughters were famous for their pet cougars.
