The actual Indian spelling of Stawamus is STA-a-mus and is a variant of Squamish and means "birthplace of the winds". Pioneers often used "Stamish" instead of "Stawamus". The name refers to the Indian reserve at the mouth of the Squamish River (Reserve #24), the Stawamus River, the area drained by it and the "Chief". Squamish Public Library, Squamish Files: Place Names.
The Squamish language spelling of Stawamus is STA-a-mus which is a variant of the word Sta-mus, which means shelter. Squamish is another variation of the word and means "birthplace of the winds". Pioneers often used "Stamish" instead of "Stawamus". The name refers to the Squamish Nation reserve at the mouth of the Squamish River (Reserve #24), the Stawamus River, the area drained by it and the "Chief".