A crowd of more than 300 people gathered on Saturday morning to remember the life of Chief Gordon Crowchild, who led the Tsuu T’ina Nation during a pivotal period in its history.
Crowchild passed away on Monday.
In a life spanning 85 years, Gordon Crowchild was a celebrated rodeo star, a mentor to the young people of the Tsuu T’ina, and a respected voice and leader.
“Chief Gordon Crowchild was a great man,” said MLA Ric McIver “As a Chief and a leader of the Tsuu T’ina people, as a friend to a lot of people, and as a rodeo star and hero, there’s so much to celebrate in Gordon Crowchild’s life.”
Louis Heavenfire remembers Chief Crowchild as a man of strong morals and character who never minced words.
“He was a very outspoken, straight person,” said Louis Heavenfire. “He always said his words straight. He never beat around the bush, even though he insulted some people. It was his character. It’s who he was.”
Bessie Meguinis and Christine Jacobs, young members of the Tsuu T’ina Nation, say Gordon Crowchild was a cherished role model, a motivator who preached the importance of education.
Chief Gordon Crowchild served the Tsuu T’ina in the 1970s during initial ring road negotiations between the Nation and the City of Calgary. While an agreement was not reached until decades later, MLA McIver says Crowchild helped develop a strong relationship between the two parties.
“The Tsuu T’ina Nation and the people of Calgary are going to be neighbours forever,” said McIver of Crowchild’s legacy. “If we maintain that mutual respect and work together I think that everyone will benefit, everyone will be stronger.”
