Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada

The Languages of those who came first

Tl'uqtuqsun (East Point, Saturna Island) | Xwixwyus (Boat Passage, Saturna Island) | Tl'uqayum (Lyall Harbour, Saturna Island) | Tluli (North end, Samuel Island) | Hwu'eshwum (Prevost Island) | Hwtl'uquyxum (Annett inlet,Prevost Island) | Ste'yus (Bedwell Harbour, Pender Island) | Tl'e'ulthw (Pender Canal, North Pender) | Ts'umeqwus (Russel Island) | Sq'e'utl'um (Otter Bay, North Pender Island)

Hul'q'umi'num: Tl'uqtuqsun

("Pointed Nose", "Long Nose")

East Point, Saturna Island
In english, Tl'uqtuqsun translates as "pointed" or "long" nose. This might refer to the shape of the eastern point of Saturna Island.

Hul'q'umi'num: Xwixwyus

("Swift, Narrow Passage")
Boat Passage, Saturna Island
The herring fishery played an important role in the culture of First Nations. The method of fishing was a ritual undertaken with grace and skill.

Hul'q'umi'num: Tl'uqayum

("Calm Waters")
Lyall Harbour, Saturna Island

Hul'q'umi'num: Tl'uli

("Uncertain")
North end, Samuel Island

Samuel Island is one of the numerous small islets paralleling Mayne and Saturna Islands. It supports an abundance of marine life and waterfowl. In days past, First Nations made stinging nettle nets which they used to hang across narrow gaps between islets to intercept migrating waterfowl.

Hul'q'umi'num: Hwu'eshwum

("Place of Seals")
Prevost Island

The island is largely unchanged from what would have existed a century ago

Hul'q'umi'num: Hwtl'uquyxum

("Whirlpool Place")
Annett inlet, Prevost Island

Hul'q'umi'num: Ste'yus

("Dry", "Dried Food", "Wind Drying")
Bedwell Harbour, Pender Island

And what I was told, the reason that it was called St'eyus is because that area, close by the water area, is one of the first places for early sockeye to come.

Luschiim, Arvid Charlie, February 24, 2005 at Ladysmith, BC

Hul'q'umi'num: Tl'e'ulthw

("Permanent Houses")
Pender Canal, North Pender

The oldest archeological site in the region can be found at the edge of Pender canal. It is still a sacred site and should be respected as such.

Hul'q'umi'num: Ts'umeqwus

("Sasquatch")
Russel Island
This small island is located at the mouth of Salt Spring's Fulford Harbour.

Hul'q'umi'num: Sq'e'utl'um

("Place of Otter")
Otter Bay, North Pender Island

The Penders-North and South Pender Islands-were once one island connected by a narrow strip of land.