Historic Opening of Queneesh House

Come Celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day on the Lands of the K'ómoks First Nation. Hereditary Chief Yax’nukwalas, K'ómoks & Pentlatch Hereditary Chief Namnam’am, Kerry Norman Frank Invites You to Witness the Historic Opening of Queneesh House.

The first of many ceremonies will be held on June 21, 2024, to honour and open the space named for the beautiful glacier of legend who watches over it. We call the Comox Glacier, Qʷənɛs (kwun-ees), which is also the K'ómoks word for whale. The two are closely tied together in history and legend.

For many years, our ancestors lived along the shoreline, rivers and estuaries, close to and in synch with the rhythm of the seasons and the tides. Queneesh House now stands on these shores. Her walls and wood feel the caress of the wind and salt off the sea.

As we stand together on June 21st, we will feel it, too. We'll smell the smoke from the fire, the fresh salt air of a new season—the bounty of salmon in the Pit Cook. We'll hear the drums, bare feet on ground, voices rising and know that we celebrate just as our ancestors did in the time of Queneesh. 

We invite you to join us as we mark the Solstice—sharing our culture, our stories, our communities pride in National Indigenous Peoples Day—and welcome a new season of life.

Come learn the legend of Queneesh, the inspiration that led to this building's creation in the old style. We look forward to being with you on this historical occasion and very special day!