Shield 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]

Akáínaa translates directly to "Many Chief" (from aká - "many" and nínaa - "chief") while Káína translates directly to "Many Chief people." The enemy Plains Cree called the Kainai Miko-Ew - "stained with blood", i.e. "the bloodthirsty, cruel", therefore, the common English name for the tribe is the "Blood tribe."

The Kainai speak a language of the Algonquian linguistic group; their dialect is closely related to those of the Siksika and Peigan. They are one of 3 nations comprising the Blackfoot Confederacy.

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 ^[2] on 1,414.03 km² 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)

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 ^[3]

• 

  Chief of the Blood Indians, War chief of the Piekann Indians and Koutani Indians 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)
• Faye HeavyShield - artist
• Jerry Potts
• Hate Woman
• Pete Standing Alone
• [(Jason N. Fox)] - founder "From the Plains to the Playing Field" - the Blackfoot Sport History Foundation

Media

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]

On National Aboriginal Day in 2011, the NFB released the Pete Standing Alone trilogy, which includes Circle of the Sun, Standing Alone and a 2010 film, Round Up, documenting 50 years of the Kainai Nation as well as the life of elder Pete Standing Alone.^[6]

Historical Newspapers

Kainai News, Volume 1, Issue 9, October 15, 1968

• Kainai News -- The Kainai News (1968-1991) was one of Canada's first aboriginal newspapers and instrumental in the history of aboriginal journalism in Canada. It was published in southern Alberta by the Blood Indian Tribe and later by Indian News Media. Content focused on a range of local issues within the reserve as well as national issues such as the Indian Act, the Whitepaper and Bill C-31. Of particular significance are editorial cartoons by Everett Soop which were a regular feature of the newspaper.

See also

• Harley Frank
• The People's Republic of the Kainaiwa Nation, in Southern Alberta

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
• Pete Standing Alone Trilogy, National Film Board of Canada
• Brief biography of former chief Roy Fox.
• Kainai News (1968-1991)
• Blackfoot Digital Library

v t e Blackfoot Confederacy Tribes or Nations Blackfoot-speaking Kainai or Bloods Northern Peigan or Piikáni Siksika or Blackfoot South Peigan or Blackfeet Later members Gros Ventre or Atsina (circa 1793-1861) Sarcee or Tsuu T'ina Communities Reservations (US) Blackfeet Indian Reservation (South Peigans) Fort Belknap Indian Reservation (Gros Ventres) Reserves (Canada) Blood 148 Piikani 147 Siksika 146 Tsuu T'ina Nation 145 Culture Blackfoot language Gros Ventre language Sarcee language Blackfoot music Blackfoot religion History 1837–1838 smallpox epidemic Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851) (with USA) War against the Crow and Gros Ventre (circa 1861-1867) Treaty of Fort Laramie (1868) (with USA) Battle of the Belly River (against the Cree, 1870) Marias Massacre (by US Army, 1870) Peace with the Cree, circa 1871, (symbolized by Crowfoot's adoption of Poundmaker in 1873) US land annexation, migration to Canada (1874) Treaty 7 (with Canada, 1877) Starvation winter (1883-1884) Sweetgrass Hills Treaty (with USA, 1887)

v t e The Numbered Treaties: Treaty Seven Numbered Treaties Treaty 1 Treaty 2 Treaty 3 Treaty 4 Treaty 5 Treaty 6 Treaty 7 Treaty 8 Treaty 9 Treaty 10 Treaty 11 Treaty Seven Nations Kainai Nation Pikani First Nation Siksika Nation Tsuu T'ina Nation Bearspaw First Nation Chiniki First Nation Wesley First Nation