Chief David Crowchild (1899-1982) - Alberta Champions Society

David Crowchild was born to Mark Crowchild and Sarah Big Plume on the Tsuut’ina Reserve, where he had a significant influence. He loved horses, and in his younger years, he participated regularly at rodeos at First Nations fairs, and he particularly enjoyed competing with his rig in the chuckwagon races at the Calgary Stampede. His teepee was encamped every year at the Teepee Village as well.

He took this passion for horses back to the reserve, where he raised them and grew crops. It was there that he married and had five children with Daisy Dowan Crowchild, who was as committed as he was to creating strong relations between the people of Calgary and the Sarcee First Nations.

Crowchild was a member of many organizations related to his interests, including the Calgary Pioneers and Old Timers Association, and the Canadian Citizenship Council. He was also one of the founders of the Indian Association of Alberta. In 1946, Crowchild was elected to be Chief of the Tsuut’ina reserve. During his seven-year tenure he became a distinguished leader. He created jobs on the reserve and pushed for education for his people, as he wanted to ensure that they became a prosperous, independent nation.

Crowchild was well known as a wise person who increased the level of acceptance of First Nations in and around the City of Calgary. In response to the honour of having a prominent road named after him, Crowchild said, “May this be a symbol of cutting all barriers between all peoples for all times to come.”