Kainai First Nation: Blackfoot Confederacy Nation Member

Blackfoot is how many refer to Kainai First Nation, one of the Alberta First Nations. But Kainai are really from the Blood Tribe, one of three Nations referred to by early Europeans as The Blackfoot Confederacy.

Kainai’s traditional territory lay in the eastern foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Although no one knows for sure, it is suspected that they lived in this area as long ago as 6,000 years.

Today, the Kainai Reserve is in the same area, not far from Cardston, Alberta.

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According to Kainai, their Nation numbers more than 9000 members, making it not only the largest Alberta First Nations community but the largest First Nations community in the country! Many members live on the reserve while others have chosen to live off the reserve.

Art and Culture

Kainai Nation has a strong cultural, spiritual and artistic tradition that carries on today. Each year, a pow-wow is held on the reserve. There, you’ll see traditional dancing, drumming, costumes and more. Arts and crafts are also for sale.

A remarkable spiritual ceremony of this Blackfoot Confederacy member is the Sun Dance. Once denounced as an exhibition of savagery by Europeans, the Sun Dance has once again become an important ceremony for Kainai Nation.

As is the case with many Alberta First Nations, art has historically related to the land and it’s bearing on the survival of Kainai people.

Many Kainai women are adept at the art of native quill-work. Quill-work involves sewing dyed porcupine quills onto items of clothing as decoration and spiritual protection. Moccasins, jackets, bags and other items are often decorated with native quill-work.

Artist Joane Cardinal-Schubert is a Kainai First Nation member.

Just the Stats, Please

Statistics for Blood 148 Reserve

(Source: Statistics Canada)

2006 population 4,177

2001 population 3,852

Population change (%) 8.4

Total private dwellings 1,250

Private dwellings occupied by usual residents 1,049

Population density per square kilometer 3.0

Land area (square km) 1,413.87