Page 56 - 1st Anthology 2011

when I first came here. We used to go to community dances in Bragg Creek. Bragg Creek
instead of Priddis. I don’t know why in Bragg Creek.

I just like dancing because that’s the way I grew up, up north we inter-mingle with half
breeds. They are better dancers, old good country dancers. Another thing they use to
have like better dancers and then pow wows. They don’t do any of that now, dance is
different. The bands usually would have their own instruments like guitars and violins
and maybe those tubas and that’s when drums came in.

Granny Katie shared a tipi at the Calgary Stampede with Dick Starlight her Uncle. So we

had two spaces in the tipi. The Starlight’s would have a room on one side. We had a room
on the other side. I helped out, carry stuff to prepare for the inspection day. I didn’t
actually have a role with putting up the tipi and decorations. They did that work.

I noticed that everybody was speaking English. I use to hear the older generation
speaking their language. I found it strange because I didn’t understand a word. So I regret
that I didn’t try to teach my children the language. You must speak Tsuut’ina. You better
learn. It’s really sad, that’s what I’m worried about the language, the loss of the language.

The language we should be speaking is Tsuut’ina.

My husband did try at least. I think we should all should speak a native language because
we are Indians. English is our second language. I think with the language program they
got a lot of work to do. So that’s why I have regrets because I didn’t teach my children the
language. I could have taught them my own but this is Tsuut’ina land. They should learn
Tsuut’ina first.

We were with Katie and Jim for a year and they used to speak Tsuut’ina. That’s how I
picked up a few words, everyday words. So I think you pick it up faster that way, I always
say do something, this program you guys are involved with should get going. The people
that speak should go out in the community. Do everything you can to promote and
maintain the language.

The kind of work on the reserve was mostly a lot of farm work. A lot of people working on
farms outside the reserve. Gordon Runge sawmill at Blue Berry Hill, the guys would work
there winter time. They worked for white farmers on the reserve to help out as farm
helpers. A few people had their own cattle and horses. They would look after them and
cut hay in the summer. We all camped up west. We camped while they were cutting hay.
Then we would go up to Blue Berry Hill picking berries, blue berries. We use to go up
there on a wagon. In fact I got a picture of when we got to the top of the hill.

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