| Language of origin | Wakashan language family Kwak̓wala language Lik̓ʷala dialect |
| Feature Type: | River - Watercourse of variable size, which has tributaries and flows into a body of water or a larger watercourse. |
| Status: | Not official |
| Other Names: | Quinsam RiverOfficial |
| Relative Location: | Flows NE into Campbell River just E of John Hart Lake, within Campbell River (city), Sayward Land District |
| Tags: | Indigenous |
| Latitude-Longitude: | 50°02'14"N, 125°17'38"W at the approximate mouth of this feature. |
| Datum: | WGS84 |
| NTS Map: | 92K/3 |
| Related Maps: |
92F/13 92F/14 92K/3 |
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Origin Notes and History:
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“Kʷənsəm” is the Lik̓ʷala name for this river (information provided by Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Nations - We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah, 2024). Source: included with note |
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This name is derived from the Island-Comox Salish word, Kwaniwsam, meaning "resting place" (information provided by Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Nations - We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah, 2024). Source: included with note |
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In Kʷak̓ʷala and Lik̓ʷala it is pronouced Kʷənsəm. The area around “Kʷənsəm” was home to the Island-Comox speaking people's first two ancestors but it is now part of Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ territory as a result of a Salishʷ-Liǧʷiɫdax̌ʷconflict that ended with a marriage between noble families to confirm peace (information provided by Liǧʷiłdax̌ʷ Nations - We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and Kwiakah, 2024). Source: included with note |
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Acknowledging with gratitude ʔixc̓əmatusəlagalis, Kirsten Dobler for providing the audio pronunciation. Source: BC place name cards & correspondence, and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff. |