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“We want to have it so that when people . . . are on Tsuut’ina Trail, we want them to know that they’re entering Tsuut’ina,” said Whitney.

“It means a lot.”

Mason’s press secretary, Aileen Machell, said in an email that the government could not confirm the name but “we plan to hold an event regarding the (ring road) very soon.”

Naming the southwest ring road after the Tsuut’ina would follow a Calgary tradition of designating major thoroughfares after the area’s indigenous heritage, such as Deerfoot Trail, Crowchild Trail and Stoney Trail.

Sarcee Trail is designated after the name formerly used for the Tsuut’ina reserve.

Calgary historian Hugh Dempsey said the Tsuut’ina name for the southwest ring road is fitting, given the intertwined history between the city and First Nation as Calgary grew toward the reserve borders.

“They’ve always been an important part of Calgary,” he said.

“Because of the ring road affecting Calgary so much, it’s just a further example of the close relationship between the Tsuut’ina and the people of Calgary.”

“In spite of problems that have come up from time to time, that relationship has remained pretty strong.”

Under its agreement with the Tsuut’ina, the Alberta government faces a May 2022 deadline for completion of the roadway running from Highway 22X to Glenmore Trail, with the province aiming for it to be done by 2021.

The provincial government announced last week it had signed a $1.4-billion agreement with the Mountain View Partners (MVP) consortium to design, build, partially finance and operate the southwest ring road under the private public partnership (P3) model.

Whitney — whose speech was devoted to Tsuut’ina’s economic development initiatives — said his First Nation has had discussions with the proponent about playing a role in construction.

He said he’s confident it will mean jobs for members of the First Nation.

“We have an understanding. We have an agreement that’s going to define a role . . . on how we’re going to work together,” said Whitney.

The Tsuut’ina also recently unveiled plans for a commercial, entertainment and business park development for the land running alongside the ring road.

jwood@postmedia.com