Funeral held for former Tsuu T’ina Chief Gordon Crowchild

WATCH ABOVE: Carolyn Kury de Castillo has more from the state funeral on the Tsuu T’ina Reserve.

CALGARY- A funeral was held Saturday for a legendary Alberta leader.

Former Tsuu T’ina First Nation Chief Gordon Crowchild was remembered for his passion and vision.

The state funeral was held on the Tsuu T’ina Reserve.

Those in attendance came in representing a wide of range of Albertans,  from sports to politics, cowboys and farmers, all there to pay tribute to former Chief Gordon Crowchild.

“He was instrumental in the advancement of this to Tina nation and he promoted the development of our youth through sports and culture,” Regina Crowchild, a council member for Tsuu T’ina said.

Crowchild first made his mark as as rodeo athlete,  first competing in the Calgary Stampede in the 1940’s.

“The stampede was pleased to honor him in 1995 as a pioneer of the rodeo. We were fortunate to have Gordon come and speak to school children in our stampede school program a number of years ago. It was clear to the kids that he embodies the spirit of the cowboy,” Crowchild said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The stampede was pleased to honor him in 1995 as a pioneer of the rodeo. We were fortunate to have Gordon come and speak to school children in our stampede school program a number of years ago. It was clear to the kids that he embodies the spirit of the cowboy," Crowchild said.

He went on to become chief of the Tsuu T’ina First Nation and established training programs that encouraged nation members to pursue careers in trades.

“He brought the reserve to the consciousness of economic development. Our first golf course was built when Gordon was our chief,” Chief Roy Whitney from Tsuu T’ina First Nation said.

In a message from  Jim Prentice, the premier says Crowchild was a true inspiration and was instrumental in advancing the southwest Calgary ring road project in the 1970’s.

“So he instituted a mindset in our people to ensure that they strive for opportunities that would allow them the ability to be able to enhance their own lives,” Chief Whitney said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "So he instituted a mindset in our people to ensure that they strive for opportunities that would allow them the ability to be able to enhance their own lives," Chief Whitney said.

In the end, his family says he’ll be remembered as a great dad, a hockey coach and a mentor to many.

“Gordon was always willing to share advice and stories be at with young cowboys or students visiting stampede park. Gordon once said I am a cowboy one thing when I leave this world I will leave it as a cowboy.  Well Gordon, mission accomplished. Your spirit will live on at the Calgary Stampede,” Guy Buchanan from the Calgary Stampede said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Gordon was always willing to share advice and stories be at with young cowboys or students visiting stampede park. Gordon once said I am a cowboy one thing when I leave this world I will leave it as a cowboy.  Well Gordon, mission accomplished. Your spirit will live on at the Calgary Stampede," Guy Buchanan from the Calgary Stampede said.

The premier says chief Gordon Crowchild will be remembered as an iconic leader and an inspiration to all who had the privileged to meet him.

Gordon Crowchild was 85-years-old.