Construction begins on the new Kainai Peacemaking Centre on the Blood Reserve

Construction begins on the new Kainai Peacemaking Centre on the Blood Reserve

By Blaire Russell, Communications Officer

Blood Tribe Communications & Community Engagement

Standoff, AB – On September 29, 2023, a sod turning ceremony officially kicked off the construction of the new Kainai Peacemaking Centre in Standoff, Alberta. This project has been a key part of Kainai’s efforts to develop its justice system, relying on Kainai values and peacemaking traditions.

“The Blood Tribe created the Peacemaking Program in 2009 to assist its members to regain peace and harmony in their lives and relationships” stated Dorothy First Rider, Blood Tribe council member and chairperson of the Tribal Government committee. “The Kainai Peacemaking Program is providing a much-needed service in alternative dispute resolution, saving costs for the Alberta justice system.”

The Kainai Peacemaking Program (KPP) focuses on restoring communal relationships by revitalizing traditional Blackfoot practices into justice processes. KPP services are open to the Crown prosecutor, Alberta provincial courts (including youth and family court), child welfare agencies, schools on the Blood Tribe, and much more.

In 2008, a Memorandum of Understanding was entered into between the Blood Tribe, Alberta Justice, and Alberta Infrastructure to work towards the establishment of a peacemaking centre with the capacity to hear provincial court matters. The Peacemaking Centre will be designed to house a circuit court and will provide an opportunity to resolve overcrowding and other concerns with current facilities in the region. A circuit court would also ensure basic standard justice services are available to the Blood Tribe.

“We’ve been utilizing the Peacemaking Program in our courts and it’s a tremendous success for everyone who’s involved”, the Honourable S.L. Oishi, Assistant Chief Justice of the Southern Region stated. “We commit to implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission here as it relates to justice and to always work towards the goals for which it was intended and that is to bring about restorative justice and healing and to incorporate the traditional ways in any way possible.”

The Blood Tribe is proud to officially begin the work on the construction of the Kainai Peacemaking Centre and is expected to be complete by November 2024. The project is funded by the Mismanagement of Assets Trust.