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Tsuu T'ina Nation 145
Official seal of Tsuu T'ina Nation 145
Seal
Calgary street map.png
Red pog.svg
Location of Tsuu T'ina Nation relative to Calgary
Country  Canada
Province  Alberta
Region Calgary Region
Census division 6
Area
 • Total 283.14 km2 (109.32 sq mi)
Elevation
1,160 m (3,810 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total 2,052
 • Density 7.2/km2 (19/sq mi)
Time zone UTC-7 (MST)
Highways Highway 22X
Website T'ina Nation

The Tsuu T'ina Nation 145 is a special area of land in southern Alberta, Canada. It was set aside for the Tsuu T'ina people through an agreement called Treaty 7. This land is their home and community.

The reserve is located near the city of Calgary. It borders Calgary to the northeast, east, and southeast. To the south, it borders Foothills County. To the west and north, it borders Rocky View County. The community of Bragg Creek is also close by, to the southwest.

People Living in Tsuu T'ina

Tsuu Tsina parade
Tsuu T'ina children in traditional clothing at a Stampede Parade.

In 2011, about 2,052 people lived in Tsuu T'ina Nation. They lived in 630 homes. The land area of the reserve is about 283 square kilometers. This means there were about 7 people living in each square kilometer.

Here's how the population has changed over the years:

  • Population in 2011: 2,052
  • Population in 2001: 1,982
  • Population in 1996: 1,509

Working Together: Tsuu T'ina and Other Governments

The Tsuu T'ina Nation often works with the city of Calgary and the provincial government of Alberta. They talk about important things like growth and safety.

Helping Each Other

The former mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi, often met with Chief Roy Whitney of the Tsuu T'ina Nation. They discussed how to help each other as their communities grow.

In 2011, they made agreements for safety services. These included emergency medical services, police, and fire departments. Chief Whitney said these talks helped improve their relationship.

The city also agreed to provide water to the Tsuu T'ina Nation. This helped with the expansion of the Grey Eagle Casino. It could also lead to water services for more of the community later.

Police Working Together

In 2013, the Tsuu T'ina Police and Calgary Police started working together. They decided to share their knowledge and improve how they communicate. This helps keep both communities safe.

Important Developments and History

The Tsuu T'ina Nation has seen many changes and developments over the years.

Glenmore Reservoir Land Claim

In 1930, the Glenmore Reservoir was built. This caused flooding on Tsuu T'ina land. The Nation and the Canadian government settled this issue in 2013. The government paid the Nation $20 million as compensation. Half of this money went to the community. Each member of the tribe also received $5,500.

Grey Eagle Casino

In 2007, the Tsuu T'ina Nation built the Grey Eagle Casino. It was built on land that used to be part of the Harvey Barracks. This land was returned to the Nation in 1996.

The Grey Eagle complex started a big expansion in 2012. This included building a hotel. Some people living nearby were worried about more traffic. The renovations to the casino were finished in May 2014.

Harvey Barracks History

Parts of the Tsuu T'ina land were used by the Canadian military from 1901 to 1996. This area was called Harvey Barracks. Soldiers used it for training. The Tsuu T'ina Nation got this land back in 2006. Before that, the Canadian government spent 15 years cleaning up the land. They removed things like old bullets and shells. In total, 12,000 acres of land were returned to the Nation.

Finding Old Explosives

In 1986, the Tsuu T'ina Nation started a company called 'Wolf's Flat Ordnance Disposal Corp'. This company specializes in safely removing old explosives. This was important because in the 1950s, a grandmother and her grandchildren were hurt when an old explosive went off while they were picking berries.

This company is now well-known around the world. It helps other countries that have old explosives on their land. Even after many years of cleaning, old explosives are sometimes still found. For example, a tank shell was found after floods in 2013.

Black Bear Crossing Community

In 1996, the military bases in Calgary, including Harvey Barracks, closed. In 1998, many Tsuu T'ina members who needed homes moved into the empty military housing units at Black Bear Crossing.

At first, there were worries about the buildings. Some thought there might be asbestos, a dangerous material, in the insulation. There were also concerns about old explosives still being nearby. The Department of National Defence later said there was no danger from asbestos.

This area grew into a neighborhood with 800 residents. The Tsuu T'ina Police served the area. However, in 2006, health officials said the buildings were not safe to live in because of asbestos. The tribal council ordered everyone to leave. The housing units were torn down in 2009.

Calgary Ring Road

For a long time, the Alberta government wanted to build a part of the Calgary ring road, called Stoney Trail, across the reserve. This road would help reduce traffic in Calgary. The proposed road would cross a part of the reserve near the Glenmore Reservoir.

Some people were against the road because they worried about the environment. They felt the land was important for a delicate ecosystem. Discussions about this road have been happening since the early 1990s.

In 2009, the Tsuu T'ina Nation voted against giving up land for the road. Calgary then planned to build the road only on city and provincial lands. However, talks started again in 2011. In October 2013, most Nation members voted to accept a new agreement.

Ring Road Agreement Details

In October 2013, the Tsuu T'ina Nation agreed to exchange 428 acres of their land. In return, they would receive 2,160 acres of new land. The Nation also received $66 million for relocation help and an additional $275 million.

Chief Roy Whitney and Premier Alison Redford signed this agreement on November 27, 2013. The new road will require moving some important utilities, like a gas line. The decision was difficult for the community because it meant some people would have to move. The road will also go through some beautiful and important farming land.

Chief Roy Whitney believes the road will bring new developments that will benefit the Nation, especially the Grey Eagle resort. People living in the nearby Lakeview neighborhood were also happy. They had worried for over ten years that their homes might be torn down for the road.

Vandalism Against Tsuu T'ina Property

Sometimes, property belonging to the Tsuu T'ina Nation has been damaged.

In 2012, vandals blocked a sewer pipe with concrete. This caused raw sewage to flow into a wooded area near the Bow River. The river is a source of drinking water for Calgary. Repairs were made, and the area was cleaned up safely.

In 2013, the Tsuu T'ina flag was stolen from the mayor's home in Redwood Meadows. The mayor found the damaged flag on his lawn.

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