The  Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ [pronounced Lee-gwilth-daxw] Nations (We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah) are asking the province to change several geographic names in the Campbell River area.

They wish to change the name of the Discovery Passage to Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Passage, the Quinsam River to Kʷənsəm River and the Tyee Spit to ʔuxstalis [pronounced Oox-sta-lease]

The Discovery Passage was once called Yaculta Narrows, because the Ligw”itdax peoples charged a toll for canoes passing through. The name Ligw”itdax belongs to a virtually unkillable worm. If it is cut into segments, each part becomes a new worm.

“Kʷənsəm” is a Coast Salish word meaning resting place. The Quinsam River was originally K’omoks First Nations territory and home of their first two ancestors. It is now Lig”itdax territory as a result of a conflict between the two nations which ended with a marriage between noble families.

ʔuxstalis is a Ligw”itdax word which could mean ‘beach on the back side’ or ‘where the land ends.’ There were once several longhouses and it is surrounded by food-gathering areas. There were crabapples, gooseberries, wild strawberries, medicinal plants and fish traps. 

On August 19, 2024, Trent Thomas from the BC Geographical Names Office informed the city of Campbell River they have until October 25 to ask any questions or make any comments about the proposed changes. 

This matter was brought up at the September 5th City Council meeting and referred to the Committee Of The Whole Meeting on Wednesday, October 8, 2024.  

Tom image credit: The tidal rapids where the Johnstone Channel becomes the  Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Channel (Discovery Channel)– photo by David Stanley via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

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