Koksilah River facts for kids
The Koksilah River is a beautiful river located on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It flows towards the northeast and eventually empties into Cowichan Bay, which is just southeast of the city of Duncan.
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A part of this river is protected within the Koksilah River Provincial Park. This park helps keep the river and its surroundings safe and natural. The river also gives its name to the nearby community of Koksilah. You might also know the famous Kinsol Trestle, which is a very tall and long bridge built right over the Koksilah River!
Contents
Understanding the Name: Koksilah River's History
Have you ever wondered where the name "Koksilah" comes from? It has a really interesting history!
The Hwulqwselu People and Their Language
The name "Koksilah" comes from the Hwulqwselu people. These people are part of the Cowichan Tribes, a First Nations group in the area. The word comes from xwilkw' sale in the Hunquminum language. This word means "place having snags."
What Does "Snags" Mean?
"Snags" here refers to a type of fence or enclosure, like a corral. A corral is a pen used to keep animals. In the 1880s, a settler named Jonathan Elliott, who was from Devonshire, married the chief's daughter. Following local customs, other people started to settle close to him. To keep them from coming onto his land, he built a corral.
A Name That Stuck Around
The remains of this corral stayed there for a long time. Because of this, the area and the people living there became known by a name related to the corral. Another idea about the name's meaning comes from a member of the Tzouhalem band in 1959. They said it could mean "poling up the river," which describes moving a boat using a long pole. Both stories show how the river and its name are deeply connected to the history and people of the land.
