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Indigenous-owned · Saskatoon, Treaty 6 · Shipping across Canada
An introduction to Calgary: its history, the Nations whose lands it sits on, and Indigenous community life today, with sources.
Calgary grew where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, and Indigenous names for the area, including the Blackfoot Mohkinstsis, refer to the elbow formed by the rivers. People have lived here for about 12,000 years, and the city is on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations and the Tsuut’ina Nation within Treaty 7, and is home to many Métis people. The Tsuut’ina reserve borders the city’s southwest limits. Each July the Calgary Stampede features Elbow River Camp, which celebrates the Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda nations with 26 tipis, traditional dancing, hand games and a youth powwow competition. Treaty 7 was signed on September 22, 1877, at Blackfoot Crossing, the site the Siksika preferred over Fort Macleod. Crowfoot led the Siksika in the talks. Red Crow, head chief of the Kainai, arrived a day earlier and gave crucial assent. Historians generally agree that none of the Nations realized they were surrendering land. They understood the treaty as an agreement to share the country in peace.
Calgary, Mohkinstsis in Blackfoot, is on Treaty 7 territory, home to the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda Nations, and the Métis.
Nearby: Tsuut’ina Nation · Stoney Nakoda Nation · Siksika Nation · Cochrane · Airdrie · Okotoks
The Calgary Aboriginal Urban Advisory Committee released the White Goose Flying report in 2016. It took the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 calls to action and identified 43 the City could implement or support. The City then set up its Indigenous Relations Office to carry that work forward. An online dashboard now tracks progress across eight work streams. The Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary works to build relations that lead to cultural connection and economic inclusion. It runs community outreach and cultural reconnection programs, youth programming and status card services. Its Navigation and Support Centre operates on 9 Avenue SE. Elders gather at the Kanakaa'tsinom Drop-in Centre on 16 Avenue NW. The centre also runs the Elders' Lodge and Bromley Place apartments, along with a seasonal Indigenous Warming Centre. Every November, the City proclaims Métis Week, a formal acknowledgment it has made annually for more than two decades. The 2024 launch with the Otipemisiwak Métis Government included a flag raising and Métis jigging. It also opened the Revealing Riel exhibit at The Confluence Cultural Centre, featuring personal letters and diaries of Louis Riel.
More on the region: Indigenous Alberta · all of Canada.
XUSI is an Indigenous-owned business from Saskatoon, started in 2020 by two brothers from northern Saskatchewan. Along with our clothing, we bring Indigenous youth workshops and custom screen printing to Calgary and across Treaty 7 territory.
Strong Roots Strong Future is our interactive workshop for Indigenous youth, led by the two brothers who founded XUSI. We travel to schools, First Nations and Indigenous communities, youth organizations and funding programs in Calgary and across Treaty 7 territory. Youth ages 10 and up work through identity and culture, financial literacy, fitness, entrepreneurship and business skills, career readiness and hands-on screen printing.
Custom t-shirts, hoodies and crewnecks for Calgary schools, sports teams, businesses, events and First Nations and Indigenous organizations. Send us an idea, get free design help and a full quote before anything is printed. We print in Saskatoon and ship to Calgary. 10-garment minimum, up to 4 colours per design.
Heavyweight cotton tees, hoodies, crewnecks and A-frame hats with Cree words and the stories behind them. Fitness is part of how XUSI started, so our pieces are built for the gym and the street, and we ship them to Calgary.
XUSI has a dedicated page for screen printing for Calgary. Orders need at least 10 garments, allow up to 4 colours per design with design help included, and every order is quoted before printing. Everything is printed in Saskatoon and shipped to Calgary.
Yes, on orders of $90 or more, which ship free within Canada. Below that, shipping is calculated at checkout. Orders leave Saskatoon within 1–3 business days.
July in Calgary is usually warm by day, so a heavyweight 100% cotton tee ($49.95) or a Golden Era ringer tee ($39.95) works for the grounds. Our A-frame snapback ($44.95) gives shade while you watch the dancing. Bring a hoodie, since evenings can cool off quickly.
Many of our designs carry a Cree word and its story, explained on our meanings page, and we are based in Treaty 6 territory. A Calgary group that wants its own words or artwork can use our custom printing, which includes design help and needs at least 10 garments.
Last reviewed . Facts on this page come from the sources listed below.
Orders to Calgary leave Saskatoon within three business days, printed on Gildan, ALSTYLE, Independent and Bella+Canvas blanks, in the same shop that prints XUSI’s own designs.
The brand is owned by two brothers from northern Saskatchewan, and every word on the clothing is Cree, with the meaning written by them. Browse all XUSI, or read the Meanings page.
