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. 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 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."
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 1,414.03 km² and is located approximately 200 kilometres south of Calgary.
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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:
Blood Tribe Elections 2008 Chief Results Name Votes
Blood Tribe Elections 2008 Councilor Results Name Vote
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]
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