Adopted in the 1930 BC Gazetteer, as labelled on British Admiralty Chart 2431, 1869, and on subsequent maps. Confirmed 3 October 1933 on Geological Survey sheet 307A, Portland Canal, and 7 July 1949 on C.3712.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

Named in 1869 by Captain Daniel Pender, after Rear Admiral the Hon. George Fowler Hastings, CB, Commander in Chief of the Pacific Station 1866-69, flagship the 20-gun Zealous. Born 1814, second son of Hans Francis, 11th Earl of Huntingdon. Entered the navy in 1824; promoted to lieutenant in 1833; commander 1838; captain 1845. Served in the Mediterranean, China, Africa and Black Sea; appointed CB for his services in the Russian war 2 January 1857. Rear admiral 1863; vice admiral 1869. Died 31 March 1876. Also Mount Fowler.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

Nisga'a name for Hastings Arm is K'alii Kswan [spelled K'alii Kshwan in Nisga'a Treaty, Appendix F-2].

Source: Nisga'a Tribal Council / Ayuukhl Nisga'a Department, Aiyansh BC

K'alii Kshwan is another Txeemsim landmark. Here is where Txeemsim (the grandfather of the Nisga'a) cupped his hands and took a drink. The water was so cold that it hurt his teeth, hence the name. [K'alii/ upriver; Kswan derived from ksi/ water and wan, a derivation of ween/ teeth] It is also in this vicinity where K'ipmats'iskw (the mountain of refuge from the Great Flood) is situated. K'alii Kswan is another territory belonging to a Sim'oogit/ chief, and his Wilp, but so rich in resources that it was utilized in common by all Nisga'a. "Protruding rocks and many small inlets all through K'alii Kswan make travel slow and difficult here" according to one Matriarch who used to accompany her husband to this area for food harvesting.

Source: Nisga'a Tribal Council / Ayuukhl Nisga'a Department, Aiyansh BC