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Tsimshian

American  
[tsim-shee-uhn] / ˈtsɪm ʃi ən /

noun

  • Tsimshians,
    plural
  • Tsimshian
    plural
  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.


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of Tsimshian

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


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian master carvers will carve their poles in communities around the Southeast, teaching apprentices the art.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 28, 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

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

They are of red cedar, brought from the south, and were carved by a Tsimshian who also carved the figures on the faces of the retaining timbers of the first platform.

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

The Tsimshians are Indians of the North Pacific coast and in the old days lived mainly by fishing.

From Indian Legends Retold by Elaine Goodale Eastman

All are brachycephalic, but while the Tsimshians are of medium height 1.675 m.

From Man, Past and Present by Alfred Court Haddon

Among the Sioux this character is known as Unktomee, the Spider; the Tsimshians call him the Raven; the Cherokees the Rabbit.

From Indian Legends Retold by Elaine Goodale Eastman

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