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 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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[edit] 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
- Weasel Head, Charlie Jr. 934
- Good Striker, Wilton Omer M. 627
- Gladstone, James Lionel F. (Jim) 339
- Shade, Christopher (Chris) 259
- First Rider, Rodney Edward (Rod) 170
- Day Chief, Sheldon 168
- Day Chief, Dolores 149
Blood Tribe Elections 2008 Councilor Results Name Vote
- Gladstone, James Lionel F. (Jim) 527
- Weasel Head, Norbert (Marcel) 476
- Bruised Head, Dexter Daniel 418
- White Quills, Franklyn 408
- Many Fingers, Kirby Dean 402
- Day Chief, Sheldon 400
- Thunder Chief, Ronnie Vern 390
- Bull Calf, Andrew 382
- Curly Rider, Joshua Edward 365
- First Rider, Rodney Edward (Rod) 347
- Day Chief, Dolores 333
- Tail Feathers, Ira 322
- First Rider, Dorothy Theresa 313
- Cross Child, Tanya Fern (Pace) 309
- Little Bear, Nolan Ryan 309
- Cross Child, Calvin Floyd 305
- Eagle Speaker, Myron 305
- Black Plume, Frankie 303
- Fox, Arnold 298
- Shouting, Oliver 261
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Stu-mick-o-súcks, Buffalo Bull's Back Fat, Head Chief, Blood Tribe, 1832 by George Catlin
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Chief of the Blood indians War chief of the Piekann indians and Koutani indian by Karl Bodmer
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Stsimaki ("Reluctant-to-be-woman") - Blood by Edward S. Curtis
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An Old Woman - Blood (age 38)
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Apio-mita White Dog - Blood
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Niukskai-Stamik Three Bulls - Blood
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Kaistosinikyi Kill-For-Nothing - Blood
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Atso Tohkomi Shot-For-Both-Sides - Blood
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Astanighkyi Come-Singing - Blood
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Astanighkyi Come-Singing - Blood
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Makoyepuk Wolf-Child - Blood
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Makoyepuk Wolf-Child - Blood
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Head-Dress of Matoki Society - Blood
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A Blood Horseman
[edit] Notable people
- Byron Chief-Moon - performer and choreographer
- Eugene Creighton (Owns Many Horses)
- Faye HeavyShield - artist
- Jerry Potts
- Hate Woman
- Pete Standing Alone
[edit] 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]
[edit] Historical Newspapers
- 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.
[edit] See also
- Harley Frank
- The People's Republic of the Kainaiwa Nation, in Southern Alberta
[edit] 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
- ^ Rosenthal, Alan; John Corner. New challenges for documentary. Manchester University Press. pp. 90–91. ISBN 0719068991. http://books.google.ca/books?id=z7byAre88gYC&pg=PA90&lpg=PA90&dq=%22Circle+of+the+Sun%22+low#v=onepage&q=%22Circle%20of%20the%20Sun%22%20low&f=false.
- ^ Low, Colin; Gil Cardinal. "Circle of the Sun". Curator's comments. National Film Board of Canada. http://www.nfb.ca/film/circle-of-the-sun. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
- ^ Anderson, Kelly (17 June 2011). "NFB celebrates National Aboriginal Day". Realscreen (Toronto). http://realscreen.com/2011/06/17/nfb-celebrates-national-aboriginal-day/. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
[edit] External links
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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
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