hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ Language Guide

About the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ Language

The traditional language of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm people is hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, which is the Downriver dialect of the broader language Halkomelem, one of the Coast Salish or Salish family of languages.

hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ was once spoken widely by many First Nations across the Lower Mainland from the Fraser River delta to around the Stave River. Today, it is considered a severely endangered BC First Nation language with less than 100 remaining fluent speakers.

hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ names carry knowledge of the landscape, passed generation to generation, that connect the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm people to the land, their traditions and their ancestors. The kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation is working to revitalize the use of their traditional language within their community and their Traditional Territory.

Commonly Used hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ Words and Phrases

kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem First Nation)

kʷikʷəƛ̓əm is a three-syllable hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word that means “Red Fish Up the River.” This name was chosen for our nation as it refers to a type of spring sockeye salmon that once flourished in the Coquitlam River and was used a source of food for our people. 

The English phonetic pronunciation of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm would be “kwee-kwuh-tlum.”

səmiq̓ʷəʔelə (Riverview)

On March 10, 2021, Riverview was officially renamed by the Province of BC to səmiq̓ʷəʔelə in honour and respect of our Nation’s ties to our ancestral lands.

səmiq̓ʷəʔelə is a five-syllable hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word that means “Place of the Great Blue Heron.” It was given to the lands by the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm people. This name reflects the land’s use as heron roosting grounds and its proximity to what was then the floodplain of the Coquitlam River.

The English phonetic pronunciation of səmiq̓ʷəʔelə would be “suh-MEE-kwuh-EL-uh.”

yəw̓en̓ si:ʔem̓ (Chief and Council)

yəw̓en̓ si:ʔem̓ is a hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ term meaning Chief and Council.

kʷikʷəƛ̓əm m̀əlstéyəx^w    (community members)

kʷikʷəƛ̓əm m̀əlstéyəx^w  is a hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ term which means members of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation. 

slakəyánc (I.R. #1)

slakəyánc refers to the ancient village site of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation and is a hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ term meaning “young sockeye.”

setɬamékmən (I.R. #2)  

setɬamékmən refers to the second community of kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation and is a hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ word meaning “when the tide is high we go.”  

ƛ̓éxətəm (Be Invited)

On July 1, 2023, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation and Metro Vancouver announced that Colony Farm Regional Park has been renamed as ƛ̓éxətəm Regional Park and Colony Farm Road has been renamed as ƛ̓éxətəm Road.

The changing of the name from one associated with colonialism to one that reflects and honours the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm First Nation’s history, culture, language and ties to these lands is a positive step forward in our two governments building a new relationship based on the principles of reconciliation and BC's Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).

The name ƛ̓éxətəm (pronounced tla-hut-um) means ‘to be invited’ in hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓.  The new name for the regional park reflects fundamental Coast Salish cultural protocol for guests to request permission to enter the territories of others. In accordance with this protocol, guests acknowledge their hosts and such invitations with respect and gratitude. 

həy̓χʷət kʷθə šxʷhəliʔ leləm (Healing Spirit House) at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə

The Healing Spirit House at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə has 38 beds available for First Nations’ youth experiencing mental health issues and provides them with a welcoming and positive environment to allow them to heal.

θəqiʔ ɫəwʔənəq leləm’ (Red Fish Healing Centre) at səmiq̓ʷəʔelə

The Red Fish Healing Centre is a treatment option for people with complex mental health and/or substance use needs.

Other Useful hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ Words and Phrases