Tsuu T'ina children in traditional regalia at a Stampede Parade

The Tsuu T'ina Nation (also Tsu T’ina, Tsuut’ina, Tsúùtínà - "a great number of people";^[1] formerly Sarcee, Sarsi) is a First Nation in Canada. Their territory is located on the Indian reserve Tsuu T'ina Nation 145, whose east side is adjacent to the southwest city limits of Calgary, Alberta. The land area of the reserve is 283.14 km² (109.32 sq mi), and it had a population of 1,982 in the Canada 2001 Census. The land is a former Canadian Army training camp, active from 1910-1996, when the land was turned over to the Tsuu T'ina Nation. The Tsuu T'ina people have formerly been called the Sarsi or Sarcee, words which are believed to have been derived from a Blackfoot word meaning stubborn ones. This is in reference to territorial conflict between the Tsuu T'ina and the Blackfoot Confederacy. The term is now viewed as offensive by most of the Tsuu T'ina.

The proximity of the territory to the city of Calgary has led to disagreement over the city's plans to construct the western leg of a ring road, which, according to city planners, has to pass through Tsuu T'ina land in order to avoid environmentally sensitive areas. As of 2009 a referendum by the tribe has rejected the ring road. Some are upset by this, stating that it has resulted in 40 years of lost planning and creates more harm to the environment,^[2] others view it as a triumph both environmentally and for the Nation.

Sarcee man and his wife.

Another controversy stems from plans by the Tsuu T'ina to construct a casino just outside city limits. The land was once located within the city, but was ceded back to the nation in the 1990s. This has sparked concern from Calgary residents worried about increased traffic.

History of the Tsuu T'ina [edit]

The Tsuu T'ina are an Athapaskan group, once part of the more northerly Danezaa ('Beaver Indians') nation, who migrated south onto the plains during the 1700s, prior to any written records of the area. Tsuu T'ina oral history has preserved the memory of the separation.^[3][4]

Members [edit]

• Harold Crowchild, last surviving Tsuu T'ina and Treaty 7 veteran of World War II.^[5]

See also [edit]

• Tsuu T'ina language

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• The Tsuu T'ina Home Page
• Sarcee (Tsúùtínà): Article in the Canadian Encyclopedia Online
• Community Profile: Tsuu T'ina Nation 145 (Sarcee 145) Indian Reserve, Alberta; Statistics Canada

v t e The Numbered Treaties: Treaty Seven Numbered Treaties Treaty 1 Treaty 2 Treaty 3 Treaty 4 Treaty 5 Treaty 6 Treaty 7 Treaty 8 Treaty 9 Treaty 10 Treaty 11 Treaty Seven Nations Kainai Nation Pikani First Nation Siksika Nation Tsuu T'ina Nation Bearspaw First Nation Chiniki First Nation Wesley First Nation

v t e Blackfoot Confederacy Tribes or Nations Blackfoot-speaking Kainai or Bloods Northern Peigan or Piikáni Siksika or Blackfoot South Peigan or Blackfeet Later members Gros Ventre or Atsina (circa 1793-1861) Sarcee or Tsuu T'ina Communities Reservations (US) Blackfeet Indian Reservation (South Peigans) Fort Belknap Indian Reservation (Gros Ventres) Reserves (Canada) Blood 148 Piikani 147 Siksika 146 Tsuu T'ina Nation 145 Culture Blackfoot language Gros Ventre language Sarcee language Blackfoot music Blackfoot religion History 1837–1838 smallpox epidemic Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851) (with USA) War against the Crow and Gros Ventre (circa 1861-1867) Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868) (with USA) Battle of the Belly River (against the Cree, 1870) Marias Massacre (by US Army, 1870) Peace with the Cree, circa 1871, (symbolized by Crowfoot's adoption of Poundmaker in 1873) US land annexation, migration to Canada (1874) Treaty 7 (with Canada, 1877) Starvation winter (1883-1884) Sweetgrass Hills Treaty (with USA, 1887)