An Archive of Settler Belonging: Local Feeling, Land, and the Forest Resource on Vancouver Island by Kelly Black A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctorate of Philosophy in Canadian Studies with Specialization in Political Economy Carleton University Ottawa, Ontario © 2017 Kelly Black Abstract This dissertation explores the local, material, and affective processes of Settler (non-Indigenous) attachment to land on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. I describe these feelings for land as Settler belonging and my research is guided by a reflexive and interdisciplinary approach that seeks to “explain Settlers to ourselves.” Through original archival research and personal reflection, I argue that “(dis)possession,” a term that encompasses Settler efforts to take the land and belong to the land, is a generational process, one that is worked at over time in an effort to link the past with the present and serve future Settler belonging. Through a study of plants, forest resource extraction, roads and railways, park creation, and real estate development in the Cowichan Valley and Sooke-Juan de Fuca regions, I argue that Settler feelings for land manifest in locally specific and contradictory ways. I build upon studies of Settler colonialism and political economy in Canada by adapting the staples approach, as developed by Harold A. Innis, Mel Watkins, and others, to trace the intersection of belonging with the resource economy and the characteristics of Settler colonialism. This dissertation links historical and ongoing transformations in the relations of production, such as the conversion of private forestry lands into real estate, to reveal the ways in which belonging adjusts to political and economic changes that both assist and threaten its future. I argue that studying the locality of belonging contributes insight and nuance to our understanding of materiality and affect, class relations, the staple economy, and Settler colonialism’s broader processes. In doing so, I demonstrate that Settler attachment to land is entrenched and expanded through a series of recurring events that are shared, personal, and conflictual. 1 Acknowledgments This dissertation was researched and written primarily in the territories of the Lekwungen (Esquimalt and Songhees), W̱ SÁNEĆ, (Pauquachin, Tsartlip, Tsawout, Tseycum), Malahat, Cowichan, Pacheedaht, Scia'new, T’Souke, and Suquamish peoples. My education as a PhD student was made possible by my status as a student at Carleton University, located on the territories of the Algonquin peoples. I wish to express my gratitude and respect to the first peoples of these lands, and I offer this dissertation as one of the many steps I will continue to take toward respectful and meaningful Settler- Indigenous relations. To Eva Mackey, my supervisor and friend: your enthusiasm for my research never waned and has been a constant source of comfort and encouragement over the past several years. You have had confidence in me when I was doubtful, and you have pushed me to show the work and to claim that work as a product of my efforts. I am thankful for all the time spent chatting on the phone and for all the honest discussions of academia’s ups and downs. JoAnne, my best friend, wife, and partner: it is not an exaggeration to say that I would not have made it to the end of this project without you by my side. We started this dissertation together and you have been a sounding board, editor, book-lender, peer- reviewer, and champion throughout. Our crafting, meal making, walks, and travels are the welcome escapes that every person trying to complete a PhD needs. “You got this” are the words that have sustained me. You have tolerated and even encouraged my local history book collection, despite the lack of shelf space in our home. It is your love and ability to see the finish line that made this possible. Thank-you – I love you. 2 To my parents: you raised me to value family and friends, curiosity, and community and I hope this dissertation reflects that. You have always supported and encouraged me in my studies and travels and, as the first in our family to earn a PhD, this unwavering support means so much to me. I am in awe of how hard you have both worked for your family, in spite of, and because of, the many ups and downs along the way. Scott, thank-you for the countless hikes and off-trail adventures, and for building a retreat where thoughts can be written, shared, and debated around a woodstove. Sarah, your care for family and friends is a constant source of inspiration and I am grateful for how much of this you took on during my time in Ottawa. I am thankful for all of the time spent with my grandparents, Grace and Art Bennett. You never turned down my requests to pull out the old photo albums or share a family story. You have generously shared your knowledge and it is central to my work. Thanks to Rick for use of the Mountain Cabin. Thank-you to my hiking and camping friends, especially Stew, Dave, and Steve. Amanda Murphyao, thank-you for the collaboration, chats, and commiseration (TAIFOGDS). To all the folks I worked with at the Graduate Students’ Association: I am incredibly lucky to have learned from and with such amazing activists and academics. Jill, Paul, Grace, and Jamie – I am grateful for your love and support and thankful to have met you while on this journey. I want to express my gratitude to the many academics who have provided guidance, mentorship, resources, and funding during my studies, especially Peter Hodgins, Frances Abele, Wallace Clement, and Jennifer Henderson. I also owe thanks to 3 Patrick Dunae for sharing his knowledge of BC history with me and for encouraging my participation in Vancouver Island heritage and history circles. Finally, this dissertation is dedicated to those who left before they had a chance to read it: Herb Stovel, Sophie Smith, and Grace Bennett. 4 Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................... 2 List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. 7 Map ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 9 Unsettling & Settler Colonialism ................................................................................................... 12 Affect and Belonging ......................................................................................................................... 17 The Local and the Particular .......................................................................................................... 21 The Staples Approach ....................................................................................................................... 27 Staple Linkages .................................................................................................................................. 32 Methodology ........................................................................................................................................ 34 Chapter Layout .................................................................................................................................. 53 Chapter One: Tough Beginnings ......................................................................................... 59 Arriving to Stay .................................................................................................................................. 61 A Permanent Memorial .................................................................................................................... 66 A Staple Shift ...................................................................................................................................... 70 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 76 Chapter 2: The Pioneer and the Gunboat .......................................................................... 78 “Taking Possession” .......................................................................................................................... 81 Settler Origins and the ‘Impenetrable Forest’ ........................................................................... 84 Exploring for Exploitation ............................................................................................................... 89 They Knew Their Roads .................................................................................................................. 92 Vignette: And So We Came to Cowichan .............................................................................................. 97 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 100 Chapter 3: The Esquimalt & Nanaimo Railway ............................................................ 102 “Thereupon, therein, and