Greetings, welcome to Tsuut’ina Nation. Tsuut’ina Nation’s culture, history and language are all unique. Formerly known as the Sarcee (Sarsi), the Tsuut’ina Nation prides itself to be connected to the Dene Nation through our language (Athabaskan), culture, customs and territory. We strive to maintain our autonomy of identity, customs, traditions, territory and the self determination of Indigenous Governance.
The Tsuut’ina Nation Citizens self-determination is recognized by entering into Treaty No. 7 by Chief “Chiila” Bullhead with the British Imperial Crown of Great Britain & Ireland in 1877. Today, the Tsuut’ina Nation Citizens have progressed to be a highly sufficient, and economically advanced First Nation.
Learn MoreOur Elders interpret “Tsuut’ina” meaning “many people” or “beaver people”. Both interpretations are correct. As sovereign people and signatory to the Peace & Friendship Treaty No. 7, the Tsuut’ina Nation never relinquished any inherent or Treaty right or responsibility.
As the only Dene-speaking group in Treaty 7 Territory, we believe in the Tsuut’ina Nation way of life where everything is interconnected and considered sacred. As original people of the land, we are only but a small piece of the sacred circle. We respect all spirits of the land and how the elements of; water, air and fire are a part of the circle we call Natural Law. Natural Law and inherent Tsúū’tínà nìníshà values must be respected in everything we do today.
We are known to be brave, benevolent, generous and clever strategists’ people. Our diverse Nation of traditional protocols, cowboys, athletes, students, leaders, visionaries and modern-day warriors speaks to our way of life. Our soul is revealed through our customs, language, culture, traditions and history. We exhibit this today through our economic ventures and Nationhood to enhance our way of life for our people and our community.
A long time ago, the Tsuut’ina were migrating in search of game. They came upon a frozen lake. It was early spring or early winter, and the ice was thin. The Chiefs of all the clans were telling the people to hurry across the lake. As they were crossing, this child started to cry for an object that was sticking out of the ice. The mother told the child that they were told to hurry to the other side of the lake. The child kept crying. The mother took pity on him and started to chop at the object. The ice started to move, and the ice began to crack. She realized it was a horn. It was the horn of the Tāstłāní (dragon). As Tāstłāní started to move more, the ice broke and Tāstłāní burst through the ice. The people started to run away. Some fled north: the Beaver, Denesułine, Tłingits, Gwitch’in, and others who are now in the north. The others went south: the Apaches, Navajo, Hupa, Tolowa, and others who are in the south. This story is known to the Tsuut’ina and Denesułine.
Tsúūt’ínà wúnīt’ōsī dīná īsīlā ásch’ágīyīdātɁī k’āsī
TɁāāt’á Tsúūt’ínà tɁāk’āza-gú
dīná gīlīnī gúdīnīshī át’ā
Dōnī ākó wúnīgá gānā?-lā
Dàtúwā dzāgīnìsnō
Xàkújāghà gúmānádāgīsdìn-lā
Nóghàts’īdāɁ-gú nìstīnī k’ā
Nìstīnī ts’īmīláá gīnī-lā.
Dīní ts’īkā dīīzā tāyīgāɁ-ī
īsīlā nóghàdīyā-lā
Áts’ādā īsīī ākó ánī-lā
nìstīnī gúts’í xáyɁō?ī
Yīsīlā nàgúwāā ākó ánī-lā
Xàkújāghà gúmānádāgīsdìn
nóghàts’īdāɁ-gú nìstīnī k’ā nāyīsnìsh-lā.
Mīīzá īī īdōghànīyītsày
Ts’īkúwā tsíɁ gīdīsgósà ádāgīyīst?únī gúdīnīshī át’ā
Yīgūnāhā álāg-la úwāt’īyī xáy?ō?ī īī ītsā?-lā ītsā?-lā
Āch’ā tāstɁāī-tsì dā-Ɂā
TāstɁānī-tsì nìstīnī īī nàdīsk’īsī
gúzónā xàchīnīyītīnī k’āsōnā
NītɁó-nà ch’īdīyīghōn.
Tsúūt’ínà wúnīgá gīdīsdāl
tɁā-nà át’īyā áyīt’īn
úwāt’īyī wúnīt’ósí nāgīdīsdāl
TúwúɁ nīīnīɁì yīts’īɁī gúdīnīshī át’ā yāànā?ī īt’īyī
át’īyīí dōsā át’ā ák’ō īsāàt’īnī
Át’īyī dàtúwā Xani-tii Guk'a Sidodi Nás?ághà Chū wúnītósàà k’āā
Át’īyī gúnììzh óghà nādīsɁō ásch’ágīyīdtɁlī
Át’īyī dàtúwā ts’ísdīnàà áts’īt’ínít’īyī
Át’īyī dàtúwā nìstīnī īī nàdīsk’īsi óghánàts’īdī īt’īyī
dīnà ák’ō itsīyī ts’īdīch’ísh
This is one account of the Tsuut’ina separation story that has been passed down throughout the generations. Tsuut’ina Nation oral history varies from family to family, and the Nation acknowledges and respects the variations. All perspectives for historical interpretation are welcome, respected and anticipated to be shared.
Breaking News, Interesting events and Announcements for the nation. All right here.
2019 Da Hi Moccasin Telegraph Volumes: January Vol 2 2020 February Vol 1 2020 April Vol 1 2020 April Vol 2 2020 May Vol 1 2020 June Vol 1 2020 June Vol 2 2020 July Vol 1 2020 July Vol 2 2020 July Vol 3 2020 ...
Learn More
Learn more about out nation administration and get to know our Chief & Council