The preservation and understanding of indigenous place names are vital for connecting communities to their heritage, environment, and cultural identity. For the Nooksack Indian Tribe, the original Nooksack language, Lhéchalosem, serves as an unbroken thread linking them to their ancestral lands. These Nooksack Place Names are not simply labels; they are repositories of knowledge, history, and the profound relationship between the Nooksack people and their territory.
The geographical scope of these Nooksack Place Names extends across the traditional Nooksack territory, encompassing areas where the Lhéchalosem language was actively spoken. Furthermore, the documented names also include locations in adjacent regions, reflecting the historical interactions and shared spaces with neighboring tribes. This comprehensive mapping of place names offers invaluable insights into the cultural landscape of the region.
A significant resource for understanding the depth and breadth of Nooksack toponymy is the book Nooksack Place Names: Geography, Culture, and Language by Allan Richardson and Brent Galloway, published by UBC Press in 2011. This meticulously researched work delves into the etymology, cultural significance, and geographical context of numerous place names throughout the Nooksack territory. The book serves as a crucial tool for language revitalization efforts, cultural preservation initiatives, and academic research.
Below, we explore a selection of Nooksack Place Names, offering a glimpse into their meanings and the stories they tell about the land and its people. These examples, accompanied by brief etymologies provided in brackets, highlight the rich linguistic and cultural heritage embedded within each name.
T’elt’álaw7: This name designates the location where the Nooksack River splits, forming the head of its expansive delta. The etymology, "[many arms]," vividly describes the river’s branching channels as it nears the Salish Sea, underscoring the importance of this geographical feature to the Nooksack people. The river’s delta provided essential resources, including fish, waterfowl, and fertile land for cultivation.
Tl’eqx: This name refers to California Creek, a waterway characterized by its consistently waterlogged environment. The etymology, "[soggy all around]," accurately captures the creek’s marshy nature, which likely influenced its ecological role and resource availability. Such detailed observations of the natural environment are characteristic of Nooksack place naming conventions.
Lhelhókw’ey: This is the Nooksack Place Name for Wiser Lake. Its etymology, "[many-flying-place]," suggests that the lake was a significant habitat for various bird species, attracting both hunters and observers. The name reflects an awareness of the lake’s ecological value and its importance as a gathering place for avian life.
Ts’Ãkwemish: This name denotes both Bertrand Creek and the village site located at its mouth. The absence of a specific etymology in the provided material suggests that further research is needed to fully understand the name’s meaning and origins. However, the designation of both the creek and the village site by the same name highlights the close relationship between the people and the waterway.
Méqsen: This name identifies a village known historically as "Stick Peter’s place," now located within the Matsqui Indian Reserve #4. The etymology, "[nose]," remains somewhat enigmatic, potentially referring to a distinctive geographical feature resembling a nose or perhaps to a personal characteristic of the individual known as Stick Peter.
Sqwehálich: This is the Nooksack Place Name for a village situated on the south bank of the Nooksack River, across from Lynden, on Stickney Island. It was also known as Lynden Jim’s place. The etymology, "[go through an opening-at back]," could relate to a specific passage or geographical feature associated with the village site, possibly a back channel or a break in the riverbank.
Lhchálos: This village, located at the eastern edge of the old part of Lynden, holds particular significance as the source of the language name, Lhéchalosem. The name’s etymology and specific meaning would provide a deeper understanding of the connection between the place and the language it inspired.
Shóqwil: This name designates a trail crossing, a fishing site with drying houses, and a small prairie area on Fishtrap Creek, near Northwood Road, south of the international boundary. The etymology, "[crossing (of water)]," directly reflects the site’s function as a key point for traversing the creek, facilitating trade, communication, and access to resources.
Kwánech: This name refers to a village located at present-day Everson. The etymology, "[lots-at the bottom]," suggests that the village was situated in a low-lying area, possibly near a floodplain or at the base of a hill.
TemÃxwten: This Nooksack Place Name identifies a Nooksack village with pit houses located at Sumas, WA. The etymology, "[earth-device]," likely refers to the pit houses themselves, highlighting their significance as a form of traditional dwelling and engineering.
Semáts Xácho7: This name signifies Sumas Lake. The etymology, "[level place lake]," provides a straightforward description of the lake’s physical characteristics, emphasizing its flat surface and expansive waters.
Nuxwsá7aq: This name designates Anderson Creek and the area at its mouth. Crucially, this place name serves as the root for the tribal name, Nooksack. The etymology, "[always-bracken fern roots]," connects the tribe to a specific plant resource, signifying its importance for sustenance or other cultural practices.
Spálhxen: This name identifies a village on Johnson Island, opposite the mouth of Anderson Creek. The etymology, "[prairie, meadow, open land]," describes the landscape surrounding the village, highlighting its location in a grassy, open area.
Yexsáy: This Nooksack Place Name refers to Smith Creek and a village at its mouth. The etymology, "[place given as a gift]," suggests that the area may have been associated with acts of generosity or exchange, possibly linked to resource sharing or diplomatic relations.
Leme7ólh: This name designates fishing rocks located on the east bank of the Nooksack River, approximately half a mile upriver from Deming. The etymology, "[kicked (away) long ago]," hints at a possible origin story or historical event associated with the rocks, perhaps involving a change in their position or significance.
Nuxw7Ãyem: This name refers to the South Fork Nooksack River and the village at its mouth. The etymology, "[always-clear water]," emphasizes the pristine quality of the river’s water, a vital resource for drinking, fishing, and transportation.
Nuxwt’Ãqw’em: This name designates the Middle Fork Nooksack River and the village located at its mouth. The etymology, "[always-murky water]," contrasts with the South Fork, highlighting the different water characteristics of this river branch.
Chuw7álich: This name refers to the North Fork Nooksack River. The etymology, "[the next point]," suggests that the river’s location or course was perceived as a significant marker or turning point in the landscape.
Xwkw’ól7oxwey: This Nooksack Place Name designates Kendall Creek and the village at its mouth. The etymology, "[always-dog salmon-place]," clearly indicates the creek’s importance as a spawning ground for dog salmon, a crucial food source for the Nooksack people.
Kwelshán: This name refers to the high open slopes of Mt. Baker. The etymology, "[shooting place]," suggests that the slopes were a favored location for hunting game, reflecting the importance of hunting practices to the Nooksack.
Kweq’ Smánit: This name refers to Mt. Baker itself. The etymology, "[white mountain]," provides a straightforward description of the mountain’s snow-capped peak, a prominent feature in the landscape.
Shéqsan ~ Ch’ésqen: This name refers to Mt. Shuksan. The dual etymologies, "[high foot ~ golden eagle]," offer two possible interpretations, potentially reflecting different aspects of the mountain’s significance or different perspectives on its characteristics.
Ts’éq: This name refers to a creek and fish camp located at Acme. The etymology, "[fermented salmon eggs]," indicates the site’s association with a specific food preparation technique, highlighting the importance of salmon in the Nooksack diet.
Núxwaymaltxw: This Nooksack Place Name designates a camp at the mouth of Skookum Creek on the South Fork. The etymology, "[slaughter-house]," suggests that the camp was a site for processing animals, potentially deer or other game.
Yúmechiy: This name refers to a canyon in the South Fork where spring Chinook salmon were caught. The etymology, "[spring salmon-place]," underscores the canyon’s significance as a prime fishing location during the spring salmon run.
Kwetl’kwÃtl’ Smánit: This name refers to the Twin Sisters Mountain. The etymology, "[red mountain]," likely describes the mountains’ reddish coloration due to the presence of certain minerals or geological formations.
Xachu7ámish: This name designates a village at the upper, southeast end of Lake Whatcom. The etymology, "[lake people*]," directly identifies the inhabitants as people associated with the lake, reflecting their reliance on its resources.
Ch’Ãnukw’: This Nooksack Place Name refers to Toad Lake. The etymology, "[thunderbird]," links the lake to a powerful mythological creature, potentially reflecting its spiritual significance or associated beliefs.
Xalachiséy: This name signifies Squalicum Lake. The etymology, "[mark on the hand place]," remains somewhat obscure, possibly referring to a distinctive physical feature or a historical event associated with the lake.
Chúkwenet: This name designates Chuckanut Creek and a camp located at its mouth. The etymology, "[beach or tide goes way out]," describes the creek’s tidal characteristics, highlighting the significant ebb and flow of the tides in the area.
Xwótqwem: This name refers to Whatcom Creek and a camp at its mouth. The etymology, "[sound of water splashing or dripping fast and hard]," evokes the auditory experience of the creek’s flowing water, emphasizing its dynamic nature.
Nuxwkw’ól7exwem: This name designates Squalicum Creek. The etymology, "[always-dog salmon-place to get]," underscores the creek’s importance as a reliable source of dog salmon, a crucial food resource.
Tl’aqatÃnus: This name refers to a prairie and bluff at Fort Bellingham. The etymology, "[long bluff]," provides a straightforward description of the bluff’s physical characteristics.
Nuxws7áxwom: This Nooksack Place Name designates Cherry Point. The etymology, "[place to always get butter clams]," highlights the area’s abundance of butter clams, a valuable food resource for the Nooksack.
Shkw’em: This name refers to a camp location on Birch Bay at the mouth of Terrell Creek, and Terrell Creek itself. The etymology, "[swim]," suggests that the area was a favored location for swimming or other water-related activities.
The study and preservation of Nooksack Place Names offer a profound opportunity to reconnect with the past, understand the present, and safeguard the cultural heritage of the Nooksack Indian Tribe for future generations. These names serve as a living map, guiding us through the landscape and revealing the stories embedded within the land itself.