The Comox Valley Regional District is pleased to announce that the park located at the headwaters of Morrison Creek, which protects 22 hectares of aquatic and riparian habitat, has been formally named qax mot Conservation Area.
This land zoned for conservation in Electoral Area C, was purchased in 2019 in partnership with the Comox Valley Land Trust and helped made possible by the support of the Morrison Creek Streamkeepers. Upon purchase of the land, the CVRD reached out to K’ómoks First Nation for its naming. After consulting with Elders and knowledge keepers, Hegus Rempel advised the CVRD that the K’ómoks people had chosen the name qax mot, meaning lots of medicine in the traditional ay̓aǰuθəm (ayajuthem) language. Ayajuthem is a Coast Salish language shared between the peoples of K’ómoks, Tla'amin, Homalco and Klahoose. qax mot is pronounced ‘qah (with an emphasis on the h) mote’.
“We are so proud to stand together on this land called qax mot with the K’ómoks First Nation - our partners, friends and the traditional keepers of this unceded territory,” said Comox Valley Regional District Chair Jesse Ketler. “This park was purchased with the Comox Valley Land Trust for conservation purposes and is an example of how we can work together to support and protect the land and the waters that sustain our community for generations to come.”
Photo Caption: Electoral Area C Director Edwin Grieve, CVRD Board Chair Jesse Ketler, K’ómoks Hegus Nicole Rempel
“The qax mot Conservation Area name represents a small step in the right direction towards reconciliation,” said K’ómoks Hegus Nicole Rempel. “This ayajuthem name recognizes the long history of our people’s traditional use of the land, as well as the culturally important practice of medicinal plant gathering. Our partnership with CVRD is a great example of how our communities can work together to steward our water and lands responsibly and protect them for future generations.”
The rural areas of the CVRD are home to 62 parks to explore, in addition to 24 marked beach access points. There are also many kilometres of maintained trails where horseback riders, cyclists, hikers and pet walkers can connect with the natural beauty of the Comox Valley. For more information about the qax mot Conservation Area, or any other CVRD parks, please visit: www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/parksandtrails.
The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.
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Media Contact:
Mark Harrison
Manager of Parks
250-334-6067