BCGNIS Query Results

XnukwOfficial Name
Pronounced:"nook"
Feature Type:River
Latitude:55°00'25" Position at: MOUTH
Longitude:129°48'45"
Gazetteer Map:103P/4
Relative Location:Flows SW into lower Nass River, between Laxgalts'ap (formerly Greenville) and Gingolx (formerly Kincolith), N of Prince Rupert, Cassiar Land District
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Origin Notes and History

Iknouk River adopted 6 August 1953 on 103 P, not Iknouk Creek as labelled on BC map 3M, 1929. Form of name changed to Xnukw (River) per Nisga'a Treaty, Appendix F-3, effective 11 May 2000.
Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

"Place where spear (spring salmon)....is the name of this territory as well as its tributary, situated above Ksi Gingolx and draining into Lisims at Wil Xts'ihanx." The adaawak/story here is about Wiit'ax Daaw, a young man who once fished at a place where there is a big rock situated at the centre of the river mouth. He hooked a large spring salmon by the tail and got pulled out to sea because he could not release his hands from the handle of his spear. A law was then made: "Never should anyone club the spring salmon on the head after catching it, for fear it will put a curse on you." No one has held the name Wiit'ax Daaw ever since.
Source: Nisga'a Tribal Council / Ayuukhl Nisga'a Department, Aiyansh BC