An Aboriginal Presence

Naming the Land

Some names in southern Alberta

In southern Alberta, centres now known as Banff and Calgary had names in Blackfoot, Stoney, Cree, Slavey, and Tsuu T'ina.

Banff

nato-oh-siskoom
"holy springs" in Blackfoot

minihapa
"waterfall place" in Stoney

nipika-pakitik
named after the falls on Cascade Mountain in Cree

tsa-nidzá
"in the mountains" in T'suu T'ina

Calgary

moh-kíns-tsis
"elbow" in Blackfoot

moh-kíns-tsis-aká-piyoyis
"elbow many houses" in Blackfoot which was used in 1875

wincheesh-pah
"elbow" in Stoney

otos-kwunee
"elbow" in Cree

kootsisáw
"elbow" in T'suu T'ina

klincho-tinay-indihay
"horse town" in Slavey

Edmonton

omukoyis
"big house" in Blackfoot

titunga
"big house" in Stoney

amiskowatsi-waski-gan
"beaver hills house" in Cree

nasagachoo
"big house" in T'suu T'ina

sawyah-thay-koi
"beaver hills house" in Chipewyan