In Chilliwack, the area east of Rosedale near the Fraser River is known as Cheam. The name Cheam is derived from the Cheam Indian Band and the nearby Mount Cheam. In Halq’eméylem, Cheam means “wild strawberry place”.
The Stó:lō place name for Cheam Peak is Lhilheqey, meaning “place where thunder used to come out of.” (Carlson, 2001).
References:
- Carlson, K. (2001). A Stó:lō Coast Salish Historical Atlas. Chilliwack, B.C.: Stó:lō Nation
Photograph caption: View of wagon driving on early dirt and gravel road past the Cheam Indian village, on the road to Popcum, 1907 [Chilliwack Museum and Archives, P1186].