Chiyakmesh is a village/community of the Indigenous

Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast

The Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Pacific Northwest Coast, their descendants, and many ethnic groups who identify with those historical peoples. They are now situated within the Canadian Province of British Columbia and the U.S...

 Sḵwxwú7mesh, located near Squamish, British Columbia

Squamish, British Columbia

Squamish is a community and a district municipality in the Canadian province of British Columbia, located at the north end of Howe Sound on the Sea to Sky Highway...

. The name of the Cheakamus River

Cheakamus River

The Cheakamus River is a tributary of the Squamish River, beginning on the west slopes of Outlier Peak in Garibaldi Provincial Park upstream from Cheakamus Lake on the southeastern outskirts of the resort area of Whistler. The river flows into Cheakamus Lake before exiting it and flowing...

 comes from the name of this village, which is located on Cheakamus Indian Reserve No. 11. Chiyakamesh translates into People of the Fish Weir. A chiyak is a special fish weir this village used on the Cheakamus River

Cheakamus River

The Cheakamus River is a tributary of the Squamish River, beginning on the west slopes of Outlier Peak in Garibaldi Provincial Park upstream from Cheakamus Lake on the southeastern outskirts of the resort area of Whistler. The river flows into Cheakamus Lake before exiting it and flowing...

 to catch salmon. It is the largest reserve of the Squamish Nation in size.

This community was severely affected by the 2005 CN Rail Cheakamus River derailment.