Kainai High School and Kainai Alternate Academy Celebrates Graduating Class of 2023
By Blaire Russell, Communications Officer
Blood Tribe Communications & Community Engagement
On June 26, 2023, Kainai High School and Kainai Alternate Academy celebrated their graduating class of 2023 at the Kainai High School on the Blood Reserve, AB. A total of 38 graduates made the remarkable walk across the stage to receive their High School Diplomas and awards.
The graduating class of 2023 have had many obstacles and challenges during their time at the Kainai High School and Kainai Alternate Academy. The graduating class worked extremely hard to overcome those obstacles and faced the challenges head-on, like true Kainaikoans.
Makiinima – Chief Roy Fox addressed the graduates to offer congratulations and encouragement for their future endeavors. “Graduates, you will be called upon to do important work for your families and the Blood tribe” Makiinima stated, “Through the advancements in your respective academic studies, you can achieve that much more as a stronger Kainai.”
On Thursday afternoon, June 22, 2023, Kainai High School graduates and their families held a parade in the Standoff, Ab community to celebrate and show their pride for the 2023 graduating class.
The Blood Tribe Administration would like to congratulate the Kainai High School and Kainai Alternate Academy class of 2023. We wish the best of luck in your future endeavours.
Kainai High School Graduating Class of 2023:
Kessler Bear Hat, Nathan Big Sorrel Horse, Tristan Big Swallow, Dragon (Jim) Black Plume, Creedon Black Water, Makaya Black Water, Brooke Brewer, Torin Chief Moon, Zane Chief Moon, Shar-Lee Cross Child, Harper Crow Spreads His Wings, AP (Aapina’kos) Crying Head, Hannah Crying Head, Justice Day Chief, Rowley Day Chief, Bradley Devine, Bradley Eagle Bear, Patrick First Rider, Reagan First Rider, Ty Fleming, Cassius Good Striker, Hughston Good Striker, Derek Hunt, Buddy Little Bear, Trey (Daryl) Many Fingers, Bradley Mountain Horse, Ethan Provost, Kanze Scout, Morning Sky Thunderchild, Xao Weasel Head, Nellie White Feathers, Sanders (Whisper) White Man, Torrance White Man Left
Kainai Alternate Academy Graduating Class of 2023:
Gemini Bird, Kenadee Blood, Lexy Chief Calf, Kayden Creighton, Sonja Murray
Kainai High School Graduate Awards Recipients:
Valedictorian: Patrick First Rider, Shar-Lee Cross Child
Carl Brave Rock Award: Zane Chief Moon
Rotary Club Award: Nathan Big Sorrel Horse, Bradley Eagle Bear
Narcisse Blood Award: Dragon Black Plume
Iikaakimaat Award: Brooke Brewer, Justice Day Chief, Rowley Day Chief, Derek Hunt, Trey Many Fingers
Ninastako Blackfoot Award: Patrick First Rider, Cassius Good Striker
Doug’s Sports Award: Ethan Provost, Hannah Crying Head
Scotiabank Award: Nathan Big Sorrel Horse, Cassius Good Striker
Kainai Resources Inc. Award: Patrick First Rider, Makaya Black Water
Kainai Children’s Services Corp. Award: Brad Mountain Horse, Makaya Black Water
Kainai High School Cultural Award: Reagan First Rider
Walsh LLP Award: Patrick First Rider, Shar-Lee Cross Child
Kainai High School Art Award: Morning Sky Thunderchild
Kainai High School Most Improved: Torin Chief Moon
Richard Charles Red Crow Memorial Athlete of The Year Award: Hughston Good Striker, Hannah Crying Head
The Kainai High School graduating class of 2023 celebratory hat toss on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Makiinima – Chief Roy Fox addressing the Kainai High School graduating class of 2023 on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
The Kainai High School graduating class of 2023 photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Kainai High School Valedictorians of 2023. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Patrick First Rider, Blood Tribe Council member Floyd Big Head, Shar-Lee Cross Child, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipients of the Rotary Club Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Nathan Big Sorrel Horse, Blood Tribe Council member Floyd Big Head, Bradley Eagle Bear, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipient of the Carl Brave Rock Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Blood Tribe Council member Floyd Big Head, Zane Chief Moon, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipient of the Narcisse Blood Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Dragon Black Plume, Caroline Russell, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipients of the Iikaakimaat Award. Pictured from left to right, Justice Day Chief, Derek Hunt, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Rowley Day Chief, KHS teacher Mehrnaz Kafashan, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipients of the Ninastako Blackfoot Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Patrick First Rider, Cassius Good Striker, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipients of the Doug’s Sports Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Hannah Crying Head, Ethan Provost, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipients of the Jason Young Pine/Weasel Head Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Hannah Crying Head, Charles Weasel Head, Hughston Good Striker, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipients of the Kainai Resources Inc. Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Patrick First Rider, Lance Tailfeathers, Makaya Black Water, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipients of the Kainaiwa Children’s Services Corp. Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Brad Mountain Horse, Susan Bruised Head, Makaya Black Water, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipient of the KHS Cultural Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Reagan First Rider, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipients of the Walsh LLP Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Shar-Lee Cross Child, Traci Creighton, Patrick First Rider, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipient of the KHS Art Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Morning Sky Thunderchild, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipient of the KHS Most Improved Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Torin Chief Moon, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
Recipients of the Richard Charles Red Crow Memorial Athlete of the Year Award. Pictured from left to right, KHS co-principal Janelle Shade, Hannah Crying Head, Blood Tribe Council member Richard Red Crow Sr. with Granddaughter, Hughston Good Striker, and KHS principal Charlton Weasel Head. Photo taken on the Blood Reserve, AB on June 26, 2023. (Photo: Blaire Russell)
