| Language of origin | Athabaskan-Eyak-Tlingit, Na-Dene language family Tŝilhqot’in language |
| Feature Type: | Community - An unincorporated populated place, generally with a population of 50 or more, and having a recognized central area that might contain a post office, store and/or community hall, etc, intended for the use of the general public in the region. |
| Status: | Official |
| Other Names: | Xeni Gwet'in |
| Name Authority: | BC Geographical Names Office |
| Relative Location: | E of Tŝilhqox Biny (lake) in Nemiah Valley, Lillooet Land District |
| Tags: | Indigenous |
| Latitude-Longitude: | 51°28'01"N, 123°56'40"W at the approximate population centre of this feature. |
| Datum: | WGS84 |
| NTS Map: | 92O/5 |
| Related Maps: |
92N/8 92O/12 92O/5 |
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Origin Notes and History:
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Adopted 3 May 2018 on 92O/5 as an established name. Advice from Tsilhqot'in National Government is that Xeni is one of the six main Tsilhqot'in communities in the Chilcotin. Source: BC place name cards & correspondence, and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff. |
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Tŝilhqot’in name having been in use for so long that a literal translation is difficult. Considered a proper noun. Opinions vary on it’s origin (Advice from Tsilhqot'in National Government, 2018). Source: BC place name cards & correspondence, and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff. |
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Also referred to as "Xeni Gwet'in" as well as "Nemiah Valley" (sometimes spelled "Nemaia" or "Nemaiah") after Chief Nemiah of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation (Advice from the Tsilhqot'in National Government, 2018). Source: BC place name cards & correspondence, and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff. |