The Kainai Nation (or Káínawa, or Blood Tribe) is a First Nation in southern Alberta, Canada with a population of 7,437 members in 2005[1]. They are part of the Niitsítapi ([Blackfoot Confederacy of the] Original People).[2] Akáínaa translates directly to "Many Chief" (from aká - "many" and nínaa - "chief") while Káína translates directly to "Many Chief people." The common English name for the tribe is the "Blood tribe." At the time treaties such as Treaty 7 were signed, the Kainai were situated on the Oldman, Belly, and St. Mary rivers west of Lethbridge, Alberta. The Kainai reserve Blood 148 is currently the largest in Canada with 3,852 inhabitants [3] on 1,414.03km² and is located approximately 200 kilometres south of Calgary.
Government
The Kainai Nation is governed by an elected council of twelve to fifteen, with one chief. The term of office is four years. Historical chiefs of the Kainai are below:
- Last of the Hereditary Chiefs Traditional Chief JIm Shot Both Sides (1956-1980)
- Chief Roy Fox (1980-1996)
- Chief Chris Shade (1996-2004)
- Chief Charles Weasel Head (2004-present)
References
- ^ Alberta Municipal Affairs - 2005 Official Population list - Indian Registered Population. December 2005. Retrieved on 24 September 2006.
- ^ Blood Indians - Catholic Encyclopedia article
- ^ Statistics Canada - 2001 Census Aboriginal Population Profile
External links
- Introduction to photo essay from 'Nitsitapiisinni: Our Way of Life' museum exhibit
- Concise description of the Blackfoot tribes
- Blood Tribe Information Web
- Watch Circle of the Sun, a 1961 documentary on the Blood Tribe
- Brief biography of former chief Roy Fox.
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Nations: Northern Peigan · South Peigan · Kainai Nation · Siksika Nation Other: Blackfeet Indian Reservation · Blackfoot mythology · Blackfoot music · Blackfoot language |
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| Alexander · Alexis · Athabasca Chipewyan · Beaver · Beaver Lake Cree · Bigstone Cree · Chipewyan Prairie · Cold Lake · Dene Tha' · Driftpile · Duncan's · Enoch Cree · Ermineskin Cree · Fort McKay · Fort McMurray · Frog Lake · Heart Lake · Horse Lake · Kainai · Kapawe'no · Kehewin Cree · Little Red River Cree · Loon River · Louis Bull · Lubicon Lake · Mikisew Cree · Montana · O'Chiese · Paul · Piikani · Saddle Lake · Samson Cree · Sawridge · Siksika · Smith's Landing · Stoney · Sturgeon Lake · Sucker Creek · Sunchild · Swan River · Tallcree · Tsuu T'ina · Whitefish Lake (Atikameg) · Whitefish Lake (Goodfish) · Woodland Cree |
