The Tŝilhqot’in National Government represents six main Tŝilhqot’in communities: Tl’etinqox (Anaham), Tŝideldel (Redstone), Yuneŝit’in (Stone), Xeni Gwet’in (Nemiah), ʔEsdilagh (Alexandria) and Tl’esqox (Toosey). A detailed map is located here.

Below is some history on the names of the communities. Please note that this history and meaning of the names of these communities has many meanings to the Tŝilhqot’in people.

Tl’etinqox

Tl’etinqox (Anaham) is located 100 km West of Williams Lake along Highway 20. Tl’etinqox-t’in Government Office can be reached at 250-394-4212. They are closed on Fridays.

Tl’etinqox is the Tŝilhqot’in name for the creek that flows through this community (Anaham Creek). Having been in use for so long, a literal translation is difficult. The name is considered a proper noun. Opinions vary on its origin. The colloquial, colonial name for this community is “Anaham” – named after Chief Anaham who was from the Nuxulk Nation and married into the Tŝilhqot’in Nation.

Xeni Gwet’in

Xeni Gwet’in (Nemiah) is located 187 km West of Williams Lake turning South from Highway 20 at Hanceville and continuing over the Tŝilhqot’in River and Taseko River. Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government can be reached at 250-394-7023.

The Tŝilhqot’in name of Xeni Gwet’in has been in use for so long that a literal translation is difficult. It is considered a proper noun and opinions vary on it’s origin. Often called “Xeni Gwet’in” meaning ‘people of Xeni.’ The colonial name for this place is “Nemiah” (sometimes spelled “Nemaia” or “Nemaiah”) or “Nemiah Valley” after Chief Nemiah of the Tŝilhqot’in Nation.

Tŝideldel

Tŝideldel (Redstone) is located 188 km West of Williams Lake, along Highway 20. Alexis Creek Indian Band can be reached at 250-481-3335.

The Tŝilhqot’in name meaning ‘red stone’ where “tŝi” means ‘stone’ and “deldel” means ‘red.’ The name of this community derives from a ruddy outcrop of rock at the east end of the community. Colonial settlers 16 km east of Tŝideldel, at the confluence of Tsalhanqox (Chilanko River) and Cheẑqox (upper Chilcotin River), also claimed the name “Redstone” for their locality, causing great confusion among visitors. Some spell the name “Tŝi-deldel” or “Tŝideldel” and both are considered acceptable.  “Tŝi Del Del” is considered an incorrect spelling because “del” means ‘blood’ in Tŝilhqot’in, whereas “deldel” means ‘red.’ The colonial name for this community is “Redstone.”

Tl’esqox

Tl’esqox (Toosey) is located 50 km West of Williams Lake. Toosey Band can be reached at 250-659-5655.

“Tl’esqox” is the Tŝilhqot’in name for the creek that flows through this community (Riske Creek). It means ‘muddy creek.’ This name represents the community, the creek flowing through, and the wider locality. The colloquial, colonial name for this community is “Toosey” (sometimes spelled “Toosie”), which was presumably the name of a prominent elder who stayed here.

ʔEsdilagh

ʔEsdilagh (Alexandria) is located 70 km North of Williams Lake on the West side of the Fraser River. ʔEsdilagh First Nation can be reached at 250-747-2002 or at the Quesnel Office at 250-992-6000.

“ʔEsdilagh” is the Tŝilhqot’in name meaning ‘peninsula’ referring to the land jutting into the waters of ʔElhdaqox (Fraser River) near this community. The colloquial, colonial name for this community is “Alexandria” – named after Alexander Mackenzie who was the first European to visit Tŝilhqot’in territory along ʔElhdaqox. A previous Tŝilhqot’in name for this area was Tŝi-tadenagi (also spelled “Tŝi-tanagi”). A translation of this to English is difficult due to merged words and high language dialects. This area is also sometimes called “ʔElhdaqox” (‘sturgeon river’).

Yuneŝit’in

Yuneŝit’in (Stone) is located 114 km West of Williams Lake, turning South from Highway 20 at Hanceville and continuing for another 10 km over the Tŝilhqot’in River. The Yuneŝit’in Government Office can be reached at 250-394-4041.

The Tŝilhqot’in name of Yuneŝit’in means ‘people of the south.’ It’s a merger of two words: “yuneŝ” meaning ‘south,’ and “gwet’in” meaning ‘people of.’ The name of the area where today’s modern community of Yuneŝit’in now sits is called “Gex Nats’enaghinlht’i” which means ‘where showshoe hare are clubbed.’ The colloquial, colonial name for this community is “Stone” or “Stoney.”