Alberni, the valley at the head of the Alberni Canal, a wonderful
cleft or fjord which almost splits Vancouver Island in two. This
fjord has its outlet in Barkley Sound on the west side of the
island. The Alberni Canal was named by the Spaniards after Don Pedro
Alberni, captain of infantry in charge of soldiers stationed at
Nootka Sound, Vancouver Island, during the Spanish occupation.
Tsomass River--spelt and pronounced by the "Whites" Somass, a
fine river formed by the confluence of the Stamps and Sproat or
Klee-coot rivers, draining Great Central lake and Sproat or Klee-coot
lake respectively. The Tsomass river flows through the Alberni Valley
into the Alberni Canal.
The E-coulth-aht, is one of the many divisions of what Gilbert
Malcolm Sproat called "the Aht tribes" inhabiting the west
coast of Vancouver Island.
Po-po-moh-ah, is now known by the Spanish name "San Mateo Bay"
situated on the east side of Barkley Sound, not far from the entrance
to the Alberni Canal.
U-chuck-le-sit, is a small but safe harbour on the north side
and near to the entrance to the Alberni Canal. The cannery, cold
storage plant and village of Kildonan are built on the harbour.
Klu-quilth-soh, is the Indian name for a rather forbidding passage
in the Alberni Canal, and known for strong winds and choppy seas. It
is named by the white people "Hell's Gate."
Chehahs were Supernatural spirits or influences; there were good
and bad chehahs.
She-she-took-a-muck was a ferocious whale supposed to have lived
at Hell's Gate, and to have swallowed Indians and their canoes. The
whale was killed by the aid of Quawteaht.
Kah-oots was supposed to be one of the deities of Seshaht mythology.
Tsa-a-toos,--(Copper Island) is a large island situated in
Barkley Sound and near to the entrance to the Alberni Canal.
Toosh-ko, Hy-wach-es, Wak-ah-nit, (Copper Mountain) Tin-nim-ah, and
Klu-quilth-koose (now known as Coos Creek) are place names on the
Alberni Canal.
U-ah-tee--the north wind, Yuk-stees--the south wind.
O-lil-lie and Il-la-hie, are Chinook for berries and land
or country respectively.
Ah-tooch is the Indian name for deer.
Lup-se-kup-se or Nooh-see-cupis, is a small piece of cleared land
on the left bank of the Tsomass river and about half way between the
towns of Port Alberni and Alberni.
Kleet-sa, is a high mountain rising from the waters of Taylor Arm,
Sproat Lake, so named because of its white or chalky appearance.
Kuth-kah-chulth, is the Indian name for Mount Arrowsmith, a
splendid peak rising directly east of the town of Port Alberni. Mount
Arrowsmith is one of the highest mountains of Vancouver Island; it is
5976 feet in elevation.
Toh-a-muk-is, is the land fronting on the little bay just north
of the foot of Argyle Street, Port Alberni.
Kok-a-mah-kook, is a place close to the stream known as Dry Creek,
and near to the railway round house, Port Alberni.
Kwa-nis, Kam-mass or Gam-mas as it is variously known, is a species
of lily which comes into flower about the middle of April and remains
in flower till June. It is gathered, roasted and preserved whole in
bags for winter use.