Kainai Nation

Shied of the Kainai Nation

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] and had a population of 9,035 members as of 9 February 2008.^{[citation needed]} 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.

In 1960, the Kainai and their sacred Sun Dance were featured in the National Film Board of Canada documentary Circle of the Sun. Tribal leaders had been concerned that the Sun Dance might be dying out, and had permitted filming as a visual record.^[4][5]

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)

Blood Tribe Elections 2008 Chief Results Name Votes

• 1. Weasel Head, Charlie Jr. 934
• 2. Good Striker, Wilton Omer M. 627
• 3. Gladstone, James Lionel F. (Jim) 339
• 4. Shade, Christopher (Chris) 259
• 5. First Rider, Rodney Edward (Rod) 170
• 6. Day Chief, Sheldon 168
• 7. Day Chief, Dolores 149

Blood Tribe Elections 2008 Councilor Results Name Vote

• 1 Gladstone, James Lionel F. (Jim) 527
• 2 Weasel Head, Norbert (Marcel) 476
• 3 Bruised Head, Dexter Daniel 418
• 4 White Quills, Franklyn 408
• 5 Many Fingers, Kirby Dean 402
• 6 Day Chief, Sheldon 400
• 7 Thunder Chief, Ronnie Vern 390
• 8 Bull Calf, Andrew 382
• 9 Curly Rider, Joshua Edward 365
• 10 First Rider, Rodney Edward (Rod) 347
• 11 Day Chief, Dolores 333
• 12 Tail Feathers, Ira 322
• 13 First Rider, Dorothy Theresa 313
• 14 Cross Child, Tanya Fern (Pace) 309
• 15 Little Bear, Nolan Ryan 309
• 16 Cross Child, Calvin Floyd 305
• 17 Eagle Speaker, Myron 305
• 18 Black Plume, Frankie 303
• 19 Fox, Arnold 298
• 20 Shouting, Oliver 261

Stu-mick-o-súcks, Buffalo Bull's Back Fat, Head Chief, Blood Tribe, 1832 by George Catlin	Chief of the Blood indians War chief of the Piekann indians and Koutani indian by Karl Bodmer	Stsimaki ("Reluctant-to-be-woman") - Blood by Edward S. Curtis	An Old Woman - Blood
Apio-mita White Dog - Blood	Niukskai-Stamik Three Bulls - Blood	Kaistosinikyi Kill-For-Nothing - Blood	Atso Tohkomi Call-On-All-Sides - Blood
Astanighkyi Come-Singing - Blood	Astanighkyi Come-Singing - Blood	Makoyepuk Wolf-Child - Blood	Makoyepuk Wolf-Child - Blood
Head-Dress of Matoki Society - Blood	A Blood Horseman

Notable people

• Byron Chief-Moon - performer and choreographer
• Eugene Creighton (Owns Many Horses)
• Jerry Potts
• Hate Woman

See also

• Harley Frank

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Káínawa

• Kainai Studies - Post secondary educational entity dedicated to Blackfoot teachings.
• 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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