Tsimshian

American  

[tsim-shee-uhn] / ˈtsɪm ʃi ən /

noun

plural

Tsimshians,

plural

Tsimshian

1. a member of a group of Indigenous peoples of the coastal region of British Columbia and Annette Island, Alaska.

2. the languages of the Tsimshian, sometimes considered part of the Penutian family.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Tsimshian or their languages.

Tsimshian British  

/ ˈtʃɪmʃɪən /

noun

1. a member of a Native Canadian people of northern British Columbia

2. the Penutian language of this people

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Etymology

Origin of Tsimshian

First recorded in 1830–40; from Tsimshian; literally, “inside the Skeena River”; see Skeena ( def. )

Example Sentences

The bakery is owned and operated by the Gitxaała Nation, one of the Indigenous Tsimshian communities whose ancestral lands stretch across this coastal region.

From Salon • Jul. 20, 2025

The authorities evicted them, and canoe loads of infected but not yet symptomatic Kwakwakawakw, Heiltsuk, Haida, Tsimshian and Tlingit sailed to their coastal homelands.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 10, 2021

He was greeted warmly, too, in Metlakatla, where he received a welcome in the Tsimshian language.

From Washington Times • Apr. 29, 2021

So far, most of his roles have been tied to his heritage which is predominately Navajo plus Hidatsa, Mandan and Tsimshian.

From The Guardian • Aug. 23, 2018

In the Tsimshian, of British Columbia, the word wok·â'ûts, "female infant," signifies really "without labrets," indicating that the creature is yet too young for the lip ornaments.

From The Child and Childhood in Folk-Thought Studies of the Activities and Influences of the Child Among Primitive Peoples, Their Analogues and Survivals in the Civilization of To-Day by Chamberlain, Alexander F.