proper (Siksika), the Bloods (Kainai), and the Peigan (Pekuni). Each tribe was independent, but they all spoke the same language and regarded themselves as allies. They lived in southern Alberta and northern Montana. (Glenbow Museum photo archives)

Wincheesh-pah

The Stoney word for "elbow," referring, again, to the area's waterways.

A Stoney family pictured in 1889. The name literally means “Stone people” or “people who cook with stones.” They were also known as the "Mountain People" who traditionally lived on lands west of Calgary. (Glenbow Museum photo archives)

Otos-kwunee

The Cree also referred to the region by its rivers, using their word for "elbow."

A group of Cree people pictured in central Alberta in 1890. The Cree are the largest group of aboriginal people in Canada today. They migrated to the Prairies during the early1700s, becoming known as the Plains Cree. (Glenbow Museum photo archives)

Kootsisáw

The T'suu T'ina word for — surprise! — "elbow."

Land belonging to the Tsuut’ina — meaning a "great number of people" — borders Calgary's western edge. Formerly Sarcee, their traditional territory was far more expansive. (Glenbow Museum photo archives)

Klincho-tinay-indihay

The Slavey name for Calgary focused on another popular description of the area — "horse town."

Pictured above is a conference of Slavey people at Fort Vermilion, Alta., in 1900. The Slaveys lived in northern Alberta, and are a major group of Athapaskan-speaking (or Dene) people. (Glenbow Museum photo archives)

Fort Brisebois

The year was 1875, not too long after the Mounties made their famous march west to Alberta, when they built a fort near the meeting of the Bow and Elbow.

In a show