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

A member of the Alaska Tsimshian tribe, he’s written a book under his tribal storyteller name, Ravenspeaker.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 26, 2023

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

Next to him stands an imposing example of an actual copper, of either Haida or Tsimshian origin, dated 1840-60.

From New York Times • Sep. 7, 2017

It is unquestionably the finest example of native art, either Tlingit or Tsimshian, in Alaska, in boldness of conception,—although highly conventionalized in form,—in execution of detail, and in the selection and arrangement of colors.

From The Whale House of the Chilkat by Emmons, George T.