Adopted 28 April 2007 on 92G/16, as proposed by In-SHUCK-ch Nation (comprised of Douglas, Skatin and Samahquam First Nations)

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

Located at southeast end of Lot 1747, Group 1, New Westminster District. The district lot was recently owned by Alan Trethewey, but has been purchased by the Government of Canada to be held in trust for the In-SHUCK-ch Nation, and will form part of Treaty Settlement Land when a Final Agreement is concluded. "The property contains one of the most spiritually significant sites in [In-SHUCK-ch Nation] traditional territory. Tsek is the name given to the hot/cold springs, but also refers to the area surrounding it. It was also the name of the ancient village that was situated there. As far as can be gleaned there is one hot and one cold spring issuing from the bedrock, though colonial records show as many as 2 cold springs. The site has been modified to the extent that this is no longer discernable to the naked eye. There was a pool constructed to gather the hot water. The cold water pool is less visible, set further back and away from the tubs constructed there. The hot springs have been used by [In-SHUCK-ch Nation] people since time immemorial, but since the very first settlers arrived in British Columbia, the property surrounding it has been owned in one form or another, whether it was a pre-emption, or a formally surveyed private lot." (19 March 2007 advice from Maurice DePaoli, Heritage Resources Advisor for In-SHUCK-ch Nation)

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

Tsek (pronounced 'chick') is a Ucwalmícwts word (the language of the Lower Lillooet people). The meaning of this word is elusive; some have asserted it might a variation of 'chuck', from the Chinook jargon, meaning 'water' . However the word seems to have the same origins as the Ucwalmícwts word (s)ts'eq', meaning 'dripping water' or 'water droplet'. Geothermal springs in the Lillooet River valley escape through cracks in exposed bedrock and form in pools, or run into nearby creeks. In any case, the word Tsek... long pre-date[s] any origin in Chinook, since this was a trade language used between Europeans and First Nations during the fur trade and gold rush periods in British Columbia. The hot springs [here] are arguably the most important spiritual site in the lower Lillooet River valley. The accounts are too numerous to mention but they all commonly refer to the healing properties of the hot springs, and their use in traditional ceremony. (from 'History of the St. Agnes' Well Hot Springs Area [Tsek], of Lot 1747, Group 1 New Westminster District,' by Maurice DePaoli, Cultural Researcher and Heritage Resources Advisor for In-SHUCK-ch Nation; copy on file P.1.61)

Source: included with note

According to legend, the hot springs were created by utszím'alh (an immortal creature composed of four brothers, a sister, and mink), commonly known as the Transformers in ethnographic literature. Transformers were sent down from the heavens by the Creator near the beginning of time to eradicate evil, reward good people, and make corrections to the earth's landscape. The legend was captured by James Teit who recounts the story as follows: "There are two springs - one hot and one cold - near Skookum Chuck, in the Lower Lillooet District. They were a married [elderly] couple whom the Transformer changed into springs at their own request. They said, ' let us be two springs, one hot and one cold, side by side. People who bathe in us and drink our water will become well '." (Teit, Traditions of the Lillooet Indians of British Columbia, published in Journal of American Folklore, vol 25, 1912, pp. 287-371). From 'History of the St. Agnes' Well Hot Springs Area [Tsek], of Lot 1747, Group 1 New Westminster District,' by Maurice DePaoli, Cultural Researcher and Heritage Resources Advisor for In-SHUCK-ch Nation; copy on file P.1.61.

Source: included with note

The site has been known as St. Agnes' Well - the name given to the site by Judge Matthew Baillie Begbie, in honor of Governor James Douglas' daughter, Agnes. [note that Harrison Hot Springs, originally named St. Alice's Well, was also named by Judge Begbie, for another of Governor Douglas' daughters.] (19 March 2007 advice from Maurice DePaoli, Heritage Resources Advisor for In-SHUCK-ch Nation)

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