Xwayxway

X̱wáýx̱way (Squamish Salish pronunciation: [χʷajχʷaj]) or x̌ʷay̓x̌ʷəy̓ (Halkomelem Salish pronunciation: [χʷajˀχʷəjˀ]), rendered in English as Xway xway and Whoiwhoi, is a First Nations village site, located in what is now Stanley Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The village was located on the eastern peninsula of the park, near what is now Lumberman's Arch. The village was home for many Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-waututh people, but after European colonization began in the Vancouver area, the inhabitants were forced to re-locate to nearby villages. The village was named for a mask ceremony; thus, the best translation of x̱wáýx̱way would be "masked dance performance".

X̱wáýx̱way is estimated to have been inhabited for more than 3000 years. It was one of many villages on the shores of Burrard Inlet around present-day Vancouver. The abundant resources in these lands were used by Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-waututh peoples. X̱wáýx̱way was one of the prominent villages in the area, hosting many houses; each was occupied by a large extended family.

By the late 1800s, X̱wáýx̱way was the largest settlement in what is now Stanley Park. In the village, a big house or longhouse measured at 60 meters long and near 20 meters wide. The structure was built with large cedar posts and slabs. 11 families lived in the house, numbering around 100 people. A large potlatch, a ceremonial event conducted by wealthy families, was held at this house in 1875. This event is also mentioned in the city council meeting minutes, where the medical health officer recommended the destruction of the buildings because of a smallpox outbreak, says Eric McLay, president of the Archeology Society of B.C.

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