Timiskaming facts for kids

Timiskaming is a special word that comes from the Algonquin language. It's like a secret code! The original Algonquin words were Temikami or Temikaming.

This name is made of two parts: tim, which means "deep," and kami, which means "open waters." So, Timiskaming basically means "deep open waters." Another place name, Temagami, comes from the same root word.

You might see this word spelled in different ways, like Temiskaming, Témiscaming, or Témiscamingue.

The Name's Story

For a long time, people have debated how to spell Timiskaming. Back in the 1700s, maps from England showed the lake spelled in many ways, such as Temiscamin, Temescaming, Temiscaming, Timiscaming, and Temiscamino. The most common spelling then was Temiscaming.

Even the name of the local Aboriginal tribe had many spellings. What's interesting is that in all these old spellings, there was no "k" in the name! Today, we're still talking about this spelling puzzle that started centuries ago.

Places Named Timiskaming

The name Timiskaming is used for many important places in Canada. These places are found in two different provinces: Ontario and Quebec.

In Ontario

• Lake Timiskaming: This is a large lake that sits right on the border between Ontario and Quebec. In French, it's called Lac Témiscamingue.
• Nipissing—Timiskaming: This is an area in Ontario where people vote for their representative in the federal government. It's called a "federal riding."
• Timiskaming—Cochrane (provincial electoral district): This is another voting area, but for the provincial government of Ontario.
• Timiskaming District: This is a large area in Ontario, like a county, where many towns and smaller areas are located.
  • Temiskaming Shores: This is a city located within the Timiskaming District.
  • Unorganized East Timiskaming District: This is an area in the Timiskaming District that doesn't have its own local city government.
  • Unorganized West Timiskaming District: Similar to the East, this is another area in the Timiskaming District without its own local city government.

In Quebec

• Abitibi—Témiscamingue: This is a federal voting area in Quebec.
• Rouyn-Noranda–Témiscamingue: This is a provincial voting area in Quebec.
• Abitibi-Témiscamingue: This is a whole region in western Quebec, known for its beautiful nature and history.
  • Témiscamingue Regional County Municipality, Quebec: This is a group of smaller towns and areas within the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. It's often called an RCM.
    • Timiskaming, Quebec: This is a First Nations reserve located within the Témiscamingue RCM. It's a special area set aside for Indigenous communities.
    • Témiscaming: This is a city located in the Témiscamingue RCM.
    • Les Lacs-du-Témiscamingue, Quebec: This is an area in the Témiscamingue RCM that doesn't have its own local government. It's known for its many lakes.
    • Fort Témiscamingue: This used to be an important trading post where people would trade goods a long time ago. Today, it's a National Historic Site, meaning it's protected because of its historical importance. It's near the city of Ville-Marie.

Past Uses of the Name

The name Timiskaming was also used for several voting areas that no longer exist today. These include:

• Timiskaming (provincial electoral district)
• Timiskaming (electoral district) (federal)
• Timiskaming—Cochrane (federal)
• Timiskaming—French River (federal)
• Timiskaming North (federal)
• Timiskaming South (federal)
• Témiscamingue (electoral district) (federal)
• Témiscamingue (provincial electoral district)