Thompson Sound (British Columbia) facts for kids

Thompson Sound is a cool natural waterway located on the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada. It's a long, narrow inlet of the sea, kind of like a fjord, surrounded by land. This beautiful area is part of the Broughton Archipelago, a group of islands and waterways known for its amazing wildlife and stunning scenery.

Discovering Thompson Sound in British Columbia

Where is Thompson Sound Located?

Thompson Sound is found on the east side of Tribune Channel. It's also east of Gilford Island. The entrance to the sound has two important points. On the north side, you'll find London Point at 50°46′09″N 126°07′07″W / 50.76917°N 126.11861°W / 50.76917; -126.11861 (London Point). On the south side, there's Cleave Point at 50°44′35″N 126°07′28″W / 50.74306°N 126.12444°W / 50.74306; -126.12444 (Cleave Point).

What's in Thompson Sound?

Within Thompson Sound, there's a small community called Thompson Sound at 50°48′00″N 126°01′00″W / 50.80000°N 126.01667°W / 50.80000; -126.01667 (Thompson Sound). It's an "unincorporated locality," which means it's a small place without its own local government.

At the very end of the sound, you'll find Kakweken Indian Reserve No. 4 at 50°48′00″N 126°02′00″W / 50.80000°N 126.03333°W / 50.80000; -126.03333 (Kakweken IR No. 4). This is a special area set aside for the First Nations people. It's located at the mouth of the Kakweiken River. There's also an old village site of the Kwikwasut'inuxw people here. It's called wato (sometimes spelled watu) at 50°48′00″N 126°00′30″W / 50.80000°N 126.00833°W / 50.80000; -126.00833 (wato). Many Kwikwasut'inuxw people believe this place is where their community first began.

Local Names and Meanings

The Kwakʼwala language is spoken by the local First Nations people. They have special names for places in Thompson Sound. For example, leqwe means "camping ground." You can find this spot just east of London Point at 50°46′40″N 126°06′40″W / 50.77778°N 126.11111°W / 50.77778; -126.11111 (leqwe).

Another Kwak'wala name is gidelbe. This means "long point." It's located across the sound on its south side at 50°46′25″N 126°04′00″W / 50.77361°N 126.06667°W / 50.77361; -126.06667 (gidelbe). These names tell us about the history and culture of the people who have lived here for a very long time.

Islands in the Sound

There is one small island inside Thompson Sound. It's located near the head of the sound and is called Sackville Island at 50°47′29″N 126°01′24″W / 50.79139°N 126.02333°W / 50.79139; -126.02333 (Sackville Island).