Page 4 - 1st Anthology 2011

INTRODUCTION
The Tsuut’ina Gunaha Institute values the contributions made by the Elder
Members of our community. Although we were unable to record all the Elders we
managed to interview at least thirty. We were fortunate to have been able to have the co-
operation of those who participated. The availability and the health of the Elders was a
prime reason for their stories not being told.
We selected a cross section of Elders who played various roles in Tsuut’ina. There
were the cowboys, others that worked with programs in Tsuut’ina, self employed and
some of the younger Elders.
Each and every one in Tsuut’ina made a contribution to Tsuut’ina. If it were not for
the dedication of the citizens of the Tsuut’ina Nation our community would not be what
it is today.
The history of the post treaty Tsuut’ina has not been told. We have lost a lot due to
the passing of many Tsuut’ina Elders. However, rather than lament their passing we still
have those that have shared their stories of their life experiences and their life on and off
the reserve.
It was a struggle to try and stay with the form that is used in culture of oral history.
Many of the nuances that appear in an oral culture were transposed into English. We
maintained some of the repetition so often found in storytelling.
The recordings of the speakers who were interviewed maintained the traits of
Tsuut’ina storytelling. The use of “and” and “then” was consistent. When telling stories in
Tsuut’ina the use of “ʔuwat’iya” which means “and” or “then” start most sentences.
When the Elders were telling their stories they intuitively inserted “and” at the beginning
of a sentence.
We had several meetings about whether or not we should maintain the unique
nature of the storytelling or make corrections to comply with correct English. It was
decided that we comply, and yet try to maintain the storytelling model.

The Anthology is meant to be shelf material for the schools to remove “and” at the
beginning of sentences and avoid “then” as much as possible. “That” was another word
used extremely. However, it was not as visible. It fell into a gray area that makes it follow
English diction. It was interesting to experience the English of a Siouan speaker who used
“used to” in her interview for the past tense.
The transcribing was done with the help of a number of young people from
Tsuut’ina. They were a dedicated group who did a great service in helping to maintain the
historical and contemporary history of Tsuut’ina. It is safe to say that they learned about
our community and the Tsuut’ina people.
It was interesting to note that it is unanimous that the effort to maintain and try to
save Tsuut’ina was important to all the people who were interviewed. It is also important
that there is some incentive and compensation to relay information.

Of the four people interviewed, all spoke of picking berries at Blueberry Hill. They
spoke of it as a momentous occasion in their life. I remember the ride in a wagon up to

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