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tyee
[< Chinook Jargon "chief, boss, champion"; cf. Nootka tāyī older brother]
Esp. B.C.
DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
Entry from the DCHP-1 (pre-1967)
This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.
1n.
the chief of an Indian tribe or band.
See: medicine tyhee
Quotations
1792
The Ty-ee, or chief, of the village paid us an early visit. . . .
1816
The boy was considered as a Tyee, or chief, being the only son of Tootoosch, one of their principal chiefs. . . .
1880
We were surprised to find, at the head of Stewart Lake, a well-stocked farm, owned and worked by the Indian "tyhee."
1963
A British officer . . . may have told the Chief that he was now the great Tyee of the country. The Indian took the words literally and elevated himself to top position
2n.
any important person; boss.
Quotations
1866
Having handed my letters of introduction from his Excellency the Governor to the chief trader, I was presented to the chiefs as a Hyas tyee (great chief), one of "King George's" men.
1902
You find they [Chinese immigrants] understand the financial market as well as anybody, and that numbers of the lower orders are absolutely subject to their "tyee" who lords it over them.
1927
J. B. Smith is the high-muck-a-muck, the tyee of the mining business of British Columbia. . . .
1956
"Tiye," David said . . . indicating himself, telling the old man that he, David, was a chief, a master.
3n.
a Chinook salmon, especially one over a specified weight. See 1958 quote.
Quotations
1912
Mac was a good boatman, and the way he followed the tyee in the eight-knot current did him credit.
1958
Technically, a tyee, or champion, is a spring salmon, but in Campbell River's sport fishing circles the title applies to a salmon of thirty pounds or over. At Saanich and other Provincial fishing grounds, a salmon of twenty pounds or more is accepted as a tyee.
1966
He is also only 10 minutes from the Campbell River tyee grounds, but our story today is about steelheading.