Pavilion is located 20 km north of
Lillooet on the east side of the
Fraser River. Pavillon is the French word for flag. In 1826, the area was marked by the large white flag that waved over the grave of
one of the Shuswap chiefs, giving Pavilion its name. According to one historian, the Indigenous name for the area is Skwailuk, which means
hoar frost.