Canyon City (Settlement) adopted 25 September 1974 on 103P at 55 12 - 129 09. Form of name changed to Canyon City (Community) 25 August 1980 on 103P/3, and coordinates corrected to 55 12 - 129 13. Name changed to Gitwinksihlkw (community) 17 July 1989 on 103P/3 as requested by Band Council.

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

Forest Service Engineering Branch advised in June 1972 that Canyon City is a small settlement located in SE 1/4 of IR 4; confirmed by Aiyansh resident Daphne Patsey, Canada Land Inventory Program - 3 families live here, growing to 15 families by September 1974.

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

"Canyon City used to be known as Gitwenchilque quite a few years ago..." (September 1974 advice from A.R. Azak, file N.1.53)

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

"Some 60 years ago, a Salvation Army Officer climbed a small mountain behind the village. He was awed by the expanse of the lava beds [along the Nass and Tseax Rivers] and marvelled how they appeared like a "city". He was also attracted by the "beautiful canyon" that separated the village from the lava beds, and because he had difficulty pronouncing Gitwinksihlkw, he renamed the settlement Canyon City". (Information provided August 1989 by Nisga'a Band Administrator Art Roy Azak)

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