Tsuutʼina Nation facts for kids

Tsuutʼina children in traditional clothing at a Stampede Parade

A Tsuutʼina man and his wife

The Tsuutʼina Nation is a First Nation group in Alberta, Canada. Their name, Tsúùtínà, means "a great number of people." They used to be called Sarcee or Sarsi, but this name came from the Blackfoot people, who were sometimes their rivals. Because of this, most Tsuutʼina people now find the name "Sarcee" offensive.

Today, their main land is the Tsuut'ina 145 reserve. This reserve is right next to the city of Calgary. However, their traditional lands were much larger, covering a big part of southern Alberta. In 2001, about 1,982 people lived on the reserve. A part of their reserve was used as a military base, CFB Calgary, from 1910 to 1998. In 2006, this land was given back to the Tsuutʼina Nation by the Government of Canada.

Tsuutʼina Nation: A Journey Through Time

The Tsuutʼina people are part of a larger group called Athapaskan speakers. Long ago, they were connected to the Dane-zaa ('Beaver Indians') nation, who lived further north. In the 1700s, before anyone wrote down their history, the Tsuutʼina moved south onto the Great Plains. Their oral history, passed down through generations, still tells the story of how they separated from the Dane-zaa.

Early Travels and Alliances

An explorer named David Thompson noted that in the 1810s, the Tsuutʼina lived near present-day Edmonton in the Beaver Hills. They shared this area with the Cree people. Later, they had conflicts with the Cree and moved even further south. Eventually, they formed an important alliance with the Blackfoot Nation.

The Tsuutʼina learned many customs and ways of life from the Blackfoot, becoming typical Northern Plains Indians. However, their language, Tsuutʼina language, is unique. It's an Athabaskan language, similar to those spoken by Dene groups in northern Canada and Alaska. It's also related to the languages of the Navajo and Apache peoples in the American Southwest. This is different from the Blackfoot language and the Cree language, which are Algonquian languages.

Modern Developments and Community Life

In recent years, the Tsuutʼina Nation has seen many new developments. These projects help their community grow and create opportunities.

Grey Eagle Casino and Hotel

In 2007, the Tsuutʼina Nation opened the Grey Eagle Casino. This casino is located just outside the city limits of Calgary. In 2012, they started a big expansion, adding a hotel to the complex. The casino and hotel are important for the Nation's economy.

Building the Tsuutʼina Trail

Since the late 2000s, the Tsuutʼina Nation's land has been close to Calgary, which led to discussions about a new road. Alberta planned to build a "ring road" called Highway 201 around Calgary. A part of this road was planned to go through Tsuutʼina land to avoid sensitive natural areas.

In 2009, the Nation held a vote, and they decided not to transfer their land for the road at that time. Some members were disappointed, while others saw it as a win for the environment and the Nation. However, in 2013, another vote was held, and the Nation approved the land transfer. This allowed the road, now called Tsuutʼina Trail, to be built. The construction did change about 428 hectares of their traditional land, including some wetlands that had recently been protected.

Costco on Reserve Land

On August 28, 2020, a Costco store opened on the Tsuutʼina reserve. This store is part of a development project by the Nation called Taza. It was the first Costco store in Canada to be built on a First Nations reserve. The store quickly became very successful, even breaking sales records.

Notable Members

• Harold Crowchild: He was the last surviving Tsuutʼina and Treaty 7 veteran who fought in World War II.

Honorary Chiefs

• W. G. Hardy: A professor from the University of Alberta who was given the special honorary title of "Chief Running Eagle" by the Tsuutʼina.

See also

In Spanish: Sarsi para niños