Tae Gŭh They Hunch

Tae Gŭh They Hunch. Dead Man's Flats. This is a story about the history of this place from the Îyârhe [ee-YAH-hhay]. Îyârhe means “mountain people.” We are a branch of the Sioux/Dakota/Lakota/Nakoda people, who are now called the Stoney Nakoda Nation. , When our grandfathers were young, the Tae Gŭh They Hunch [tae GŬH they hunch] or Dead Man's Flats area was a prime site for hunting. Stoney hunters had always used these grounds to find the best harvest, the best game, and the ingredients for medicines to keep their Nation safe, healthy and well-fed. On this day, a Stoney brave was trying to capture a chaba [cha-BAH] , beaver. , The Chaba is very important to Stoney culture and is an important ingredient in many medicines. The hide was used for drums and the tail for food. In accordance with Stoney traditions, out of respect for animal spirits, no parts were wasted. , Parks Canada started to impose new hunting regulations on the Stoney people, making it difficult for them to feed their people. One day, against park regulations, a Stoney brave hunted and caught many chaba , beavers, for his community. In the midst of gutting his catch, he saw a park warden coming. The bloodied brave hid his good fortune and pretended to be dead. The brave was successful with his trick and, when the coast was clear, he made his way back to Morley with his bounty.