Ever hiked the Stawamus Chief and wondered about the “7” in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh? Or stood by the Mamquam River, curious about how to pronounce its name? In Squamish, the names of rivers, mountains, and trails carry more than just geographical meaning—they reflect the deep history, identity, and culture of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation).
According to Tourism Squamish, even “Squamish” is an English adaptation of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, which loosely translates to “mother of the wind” and “people of the sacred water.” For years, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation has lived on these lands, and today, their place names remain powerful reminders of their connection to the region.
What’s in a name? A deeper look into Squamish landmarks
Let’s explore the stories and meanings behind some key landmarks and learn how to say them the right way.
Xwáw̓chayay (Porteau Cove)
Pronunciation: h-wah-wchah-yay
*To pronounce the "xw" sound in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, position your tongue as if preparing to make a "k" sound, but instead, let out a soft, hissing breath. This creates a "hwah" effect.
“The relationship between people and this area dates back thousands of years, rooted in a time when humans and animals could communicate as a family. The cove is deeply connected to the ancestors who fished and lived in the area,” said Matthew Van Oostdam in a BC Parks post on its website, highlighting the Indigenous teachings connected to Xwáw̓chayay.
Nch’ḵay̓ (Mount Garibaldi)
According to BC’s Geographical Names Office and the Squamish Nation (2023), the Nation has long referred to the mountain as “Nch’ḵay̓.” The name, meaning "dirty place" or "grimy one," reflects the muddy appearance of the Cheekye River. This discoloration occurs due to volcanic debris that impacts the water and surrounding landscape. Sḵwx̱wú7mesh
This sacred mountain is central to oral history and cultural practices. According to Sḵwx̱wú7mesh stories, Nch’ḵay̓ played a critical role during a great flood. As waters rose, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh people tethered their canoes to the mountain’s summit with ropes made from cedar trees, waiting for the flood to recede.
The mountain is linked to Xwech’tál, a hero who trained on its slopes to defeat a serpent that once threatened the region.
Siy̓ám̓ Smánit (Stawamus Chief)
According to the BC’s geographical names website and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh teachings, the mountain was once thought of as a longhouse, transformed into stone by the Xáays (Transformer Brothers). The cleft along the cliff’s face is said to be a scar left by Sínulhka, a giant two-headed sea serpent, whose corrosive skin marked the rock as it slithered across.
If you look closely, you can spot outlines of animals and people on its surface, captured mid-celebration when the change happened. A dark vertical line along the cliff marks the path of Sínulhka, the giant two-headed sea serpent, whose corrosive skin left a permanent trail as it moved across the rock.
Ch'iyákmesh (Cheakamus)
Pronunciation: ch-ee-yahk-mesh
In a video series by Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation member Aaron William, viewers can explore the meaning behind the name Ch'iyákmesh.
“Ch'iyák means fish weir, and the ‘mesh’ is a suffix meaning people. So, Ch'iyákmesh translates to ‘people of the fish weir,” said William.
The video, available on YouTube, offers an engaging introduction to pronouncing Squamish place names and understanding the stories behind them
Revitalizing the Squamish language: Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim
The Squamish language, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, was traditionally oral with no formal writing system until 1990.
According to a report, by 2010, the language was considered critically endangered, with only about 10 fluent speakers left.
However, through significant efforts by the Nation, that number has grown to nearly 100 fluent speakers today, with more learners joining every day.
Every name in Squamish holds a deeper meaning—connecting people to the land, the water, and the animals that live here.
The Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation is leading efforts to preserve their language and heritage.
Note: All the pronunciations have been derived from https://www.howtopronounce.com https://apps.gov.bc.ca/pub/bcgnws/web/. If you see an error, please reach out to [email protected].
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
