Tsuu T’ina Nation mourns decorated veteran Harold Crowchild
The last remaining member of the Tsuu T’ina Nation to serve Canada in the Second World War has died.
Known as the “Iron Shield,” Harold Crowchild was a highly decorated soldier, genuine cowboy and First Nations elder. Crowchild is also being remembered as the last Treaty 7 war veteran.
He died Jan. 12 at the age of 97.
“It is a sad week for the Tsuu T’ina Nation and for Canada,” Chief Roy Whitney said in a statement released Thursday evening.
Crowchild signed up with the Canadian Armed Forces in 1942, two years before then prime minister Mackenzie King grudgingly introduced conscription.
Few aboriginals were based out of Calgary’s Curry Barracks at the time and the move was questioned by the chief and band council.
“We wanted to fight, what the hell,” Crowchild told the Kainai News in a 1987 interview.
In his time with 4th Canadian Armoured Regiment, Crowchild guarded German POWs and later drove Sherman tanks. It earned him several military honours, including the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp.
Back home, he was often found in the saddle of his favourite horse, Boots.
Crowchild appeared in the Calgary Stampede prior to the war, the Kainai News reported, and he continued riding into his later years.
On Thursday, a wake was planned at his house on the Tsuu T’ina Nation, in the 100 block of Big Knife Road, and another on Friday. Crowchild’s funeral is planned for early Saturday with a military service scheduled at the Sarcee Seven Chiefs Complex at 11 a.m.
Family asked food or cash donations be made to the Veterans’ Food Bank in place of flowers.